Abstract
This paper presents a study that examined computer use and life satisfaction of senior religious sisters. A sample was obtained of 103 nuns in Upstate New York. Participants self-identified as computer users (CU) or non-users (NU), completed demographic information, the life satisfaction index-Z (LSIZ), the attitudes toward computer use scale (ATCUS), and responded to additional semi-structured questions. No statistically significant differences were found between CU and NU in life satisfaction. A cross-comparative, grounded analysis of the more open-ended responses found interesting differences in perceptions of sisters about computer use. Senior usability concerns were also considered.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Age Concern (2002) The internet and older people. http://www.ageconcern.org.uk/AgeConcern/media/Quant_exec_report_ext. pdf. Cited 2002
Brown TS, Brown JT, Baack SA (1990) Attitudes of the elderly towards computers. J Comput Inform Syst 31:28–33
Budde ML (1998) Embracing pop culture: the catholic church in the world market. World Policy J 77–87
Calasanti TM (1996) Gender and life satisfaction in retirement: an assessment of the male model. J Gerontol Soc Sci 518(1):S18-S29
Czaja SJ, Lee CC (2003) Designing computer systems for older adults. In: Jacko JA, Sears A (eds) The human-computer interaction handbook. Lawrence Erlbaum, Mahwah, pp 413–427
Danner D, Snowdon D, Friesen W (2001) Positive emotions in early life and longevity: findings from the nun study. J Pers Soc Psychol 80(5):814–813
Dobson C, Powers EA, Keith PM, Goudy WJ (1997) Anomie, self-esteem and life satisfaction: interrelationships among three scales of well-being. J Gerontol 34(4):569–572
Ebaugh HR, Lorence J, Chafetz JS (1996) The growth and decline of the population of catholic nuns cross-nationally, 1960–1990: a case study of secularization as social structural change. J Sci Stud Relig 35(2):171–183
Edwards JN, Klemmack DL (1973) Correlates of life satisfaction: a re-examination. J Gerontol 28:479–502
Eisma R, Dickinson A, Goodman J, Syme A, Tiwari L, Newell AF (2004) Early user involvement in the development of information technology-related products for older people. Univ Access Inf Soc 3(2):131–140. DOI 10.1007/s10209-004-0092-z. Cited 2004
Festervand TB, Meinert DB, Vitell SJ (1994) Older adult’s attitudes toward the adoption of personal computers and computer-based lifestyle assistance. J Appl Bus Res 10(2):13–22
Fox S (2004) Older Americans and the internet. Pew Internet and American Life Project, Washington. http://www.pewinternet.org/pdfs/PIP_Seniors_Online_2004.pdf. Cited 2004
Galusha JM (1998) The use of computer technology by older adults: CE 075850. ERIC Document Reproduction Service no. ED416380
Hardy MA, Quadrango J (1995) Satisfaction with early retirement: making choices in the auto industry. J Gerontol Soc Sci 50B(4):S217-S228
Hawthorne D (2000) Possible implications of aging for interface designers. Interact Comput 12(5):507–528
Hendrix CC (2000) Computer use among elderly people. Comput Nurs 18(2):62–68
Irizarry C, Downing A, Elford C (1997) Seniors online: introducing older people to technology. Australas Phys Eng Sci Med 20(1):39–43
Lally E (2002) At home with computers. Berg, New York
Meghreblian K (2004) Search engine optimization and web site usability. http://www.webpronews.com/ebusiness/seo/wpn-4- 20040311SearchEngineOptimizationandWebSiteUsability.html. Cited 2004
McDowell I, Newell C (1987) The life satisfaction index. Measuring health: a guide to rating scales and questionnaires. Oxford University Press, New York
Moen P (1996) A life course perspective on retirement, gender and well being. J Occup Health Psychol 1(2):131–144
Neugarten BL, Havinghurst RJ, Tobin SS (1961) The measurement of life satisfaction. J Gerontol 16:134–143
Nygren DJ, Ukeritis MD (1993) The future of religious orders in the United States: transformation and commitment. Praeger, Westport
Popovich PM, Hyde KR, Zakrajsek T, Blumer C (1987) The development of the attitude toward computer usage scale. Educ Psychol Meas 47:261–269
Quick HE, Moen P (1998) Gender, employment and retirement quality: a life course approach to differential experiences of men and women. J Occup Health Psychol 3(1):44–64
Rosenkotter MM, Garris JM (1998) Psychosocial changes following retirement. J Adv Nurs 27(5):966–976
Ross CE, Drentea P (1998) Consequences of retirement activities for distress and the sense of personal control. J Health Soc Behav 39(4):317–334
Seccombe K, Lee GR (1986) Gender differences in retirement satisfaction and its antecedents. Res Aging 8(3):426–440
Slevin K, Wingrove CR (1995) Women in retirement: a review and critique of empirical research since 1976. Sociol Inq 65(1):1–21
Smith DJ (2001) The cybernuns: religious sister’s perceptions of computer training. J Ministry Market Manag 6(2):19–30
Tapscott D (1999) Growing up digital: the rise of the net generation. McGraw-Hill, New York
Timeo M, Saronio P, Venanzi S, Gentili S, Vendura C, Timio F (1999) Blood pressure in nuns in a secluded order: a 30-year follow-up. Miner Electrolyte Metab 25(1,2):73–79
Umemuro H (2004) Lowering elderly Japanese user’s resistance towards computers by using touchscreen technology. Univ Access Info Soc 2(2):305. DOI 10.1007/s10209-004-0098-6. Cited 2004
Yarnold PR, Stewart MJ, Stille FC, Martin GJ (1996) Assessing functional status of elderly patients via microcomputer. Percept Mot Skills 82(2):689–690
Zajicek M, Wales R, Lee A (2004) Speech interaction for older adults. Univ Access Info Soc 3(2):122–130. DOI 10.1007/s10209-004-0091-0. Cited 2004
Zakrajesek TD, Waters LK, Popovich PM, Craft S, Hampton WT (1990) Convergent validity of scales measuring computer-related attitudes. Educ Psychol Meas 50:343–349
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Smith, D.J. Senior users of the internet: lessons from the cybernun study. Univ Access Inf Soc 4, 59–66 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10209-003-0084-4
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10209-003-0084-4