The Relationship Between Self-Efficacy of Senior Adults and Their Use of the Internet

This mixed method research design explored the relationship between the selfefficacy
of senior adults and their use of the Internet. Two quantitative research questions
guided this study: (a) Is there a relationship between the self-efficacy of senior adults and
their level of use of the Internet? and (b) Do the demographics (gender, age, and
race/ethnicity) moderate the relationship between the self-efficacy of senior adults and
their level of use of the Internet? Two qualitative research questions guided this study: (a)
Is there a difference in views of senior adults in regard to their use of other technologies?
and (b) Is there a difference in views of senior adults in regard to barriers and benefits of
the Internet? Some of the benefits
discovered were that all the Internet users interviewed (a) had knowledge of the Internet;
(b) had access to the Internet; (c) are interested in using the Internet; and (d) use the
Internet to escape boredom in retirement, view favorite websites and to keep the mind
active.