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Bali C, Feher Z, Arato N, Kiss BL, Labadi B, Zsido AN. The mediating role of ICT learning confidence and technostress between executive functions and digital skills. Sci Rep 2024; 14:12343. [PMID: 38811760 PMCID: PMC11136953 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63120-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Having good digital skills is essential today, yet little is known about the cognitive factors that influence the development of these skills. Given the importance of executive functions (EFs) in adapting to environmental changes and acquiring skills, EFs might contribute to acquiring digital skills too. EFs might also influence people's approach toward ICTs and affect digital skills through emotional variables. Therefore, here, we tested whether cognitive control and flexibility are connected to computer and smartphone skills through emotional factors (learning confidence, stress, and attitude). A total of 269 participants (56 males, M = 30 years) filled out our survey which included questionnaires on demographic variables (age, education, and socioeconomic status), ICT motivation, digital skills, EFs, and technology-related emotional factors. EFs were also investigated through two performance-based measures. We used generalized linear models and structural equation modeling to test the associations between these variables. The results showed that smartphone skills were positively associated with self-reported cognitive flexibility through ICT learning confidence and technology-induced stress. Self-reported cognitive control and age were connected to smartphone skills directly. Self-reported cognitive flexibility was also associated with computer skills through ICT learning confidence. In addition, performance-based cognitive control and the level of education were directly linked to computer skills. These results may provide guidance to support digital skills and create digital skill training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cintia Bali
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Institute of Psychology, University of Pécs, 6 Ifjusag Street, Pecs, 7624, Hungary.
- Contemporary Challenges Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pecs, Hungary.
| | - Zsuzsanna Feher
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Institute of Psychology, University of Pécs, 6 Ifjusag Street, Pecs, 7624, Hungary
| | - Nikolett Arato
- Institute of Psychology, Eotvos Lorand University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Botond Laszlo Kiss
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Institute of Psychology, University of Pécs, 6 Ifjusag Street, Pecs, 7624, Hungary
| | - Beatrix Labadi
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Institute of Psychology, University of Pécs, 6 Ifjusag Street, Pecs, 7624, Hungary
| | - Andras Norbert Zsido
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Institute of Psychology, University of Pécs, 6 Ifjusag Street, Pecs, 7624, Hungary
- Contemporary Challenges Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pecs, Hungary
- Szentagothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pecs, Hungary
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Warner LM, Jiang D, Yeung DYL, Choi NG, Ho RTH, Kwok JYY, Song Y, Chou KL. Study protocol of the 'HEAL-HOA' dual randomized controlled trial: Testing the effects of volunteering on loneliness, social, and mental health in older adults. Contemp Clin Trials Commun 2024; 38:101275. [PMID: 38435428 PMCID: PMC10904923 DOI: 10.1016/j.conctc.2024.101275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Interventions to reduce loneliness in older adults usually do not show sustained effects. One potential way to combat loneliness is to offer meaningful social activities. Volunteering has been suggested as one such activity - however, its effects on loneliness remain to be tested in randomized controlled trials (RCT). Methods This planned Dual-RCT aims to recruit older adults experiencing loneliness, with subsequent randomization to either a volunteering condition (6 weeks of training before delivering one of three tele-based loneliness interventions to older intervention recipients twice a week for 6 months) or to an active control condition (psycho-education with social gatherings for six months). Power analyses require the recruitment of N = 256 older adults to detect differences between the volunteering and the active control condition (128 in each) on the primary outcome of loneliness (UCLA Loneliness Scale). Secondary outcomes comprise social network engagement, perceived social support, anxiety and depressive symptoms, self-rated health, cognitive health, perceived stress, sleep quality, and diurnal cortisol (1/3 of the sample). The main analyses will comprise condition (volunteering vs. no-volunteering) × time (baseline, 6-, 12-, 18-, 24-months follow-ups) interactions to test the effects of volunteering on loneliness and secondary outcomes. Effects are expected to be mediated via frequency, time and involvement in volunteering. Discussion If our trial can show that volunteers delivering one of the three telephone-based interventions to lonely intervention recipients benefit from volunteer work themselves, this might encourage more older adults to volunteer, helping to solve some of the societal issues involved with rapid demographic changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M. Warner
- Department of Psychology, MSB Medical School Berlin, Rüdesheimer Straße 50, 14197, Berlin, Germany
| | - Da Jiang
- The Education University of Hong Kong, 10 Lo Ping Rd, Tai Po, Hong Kong
| | - Dannii Yuen-lan Yeung
- Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Ave, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong
| | - Namkee G. Choi
- Steve Hicks School of Social Work, University of Texas at Austin, 1925 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Rainbow Tin Hung Ho
- Department of Social Work & Social Administration, Centre on Behavioral Health, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | | | - Youqiang Song
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Kee-Lee Chou
- The Education University of Hong Kong, 10 Lo Ping Rd, Tai Po, Hong Kong
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Leese MI, Mattek N, Bernstein JPK, Dorociak KE, Gothard S, Kaye J, Hughes AM. The survey for memory, attention, and reaction time (SMART): Preliminary normative online panel data and user attitudes for a brief web-based cognitive performance measure. Clin Neuropsychol 2022:1-19. [PMID: 35930438 PMCID: PMC9899293 DOI: 10.1080/13854046.2022.2103033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
ObjectiveThe Survey for Memory, Attention, and Reaction Time (SMART) was recently introduced as a brief (<5 min), self-administered, web-based measure of cognitive performance in older adults. The purpose of this study was threefold: (1) to develop preliminary norms on the SMART; (2) to examine the relationship between demographic variables (i.e. age, sex, education), device type used, and SMART performance; and (3) to assess user attitudes of the SMART. Method A sample of 1,050 community-dwelling adults (M age =59.5 (15.2), M education = 16.5 (2.1), 67.1% female, 96% white) was recruited from an ongoing web-based research cohort. Participants completed the SMART, which consists of four face-valid cognitive tasks assessing visual memory, attention/processing speed, and executive functioning. SMART performance outcome metrics were subtest completion time (CT), click count, and total CT. Participants provided demographic information and completed a survey of user attitudes toward the SMART (i.e. usability, acceptability). Results Older age was the only demographic variable associated with slower SMART total CT (r = .60, p <.001). Education was not associated with SMART CT or click counts overall (p > .05). Male sex was generally associated with longer SMART CT (p < .001, partial eta squared = .14) on all sub-tests. Regarding acceptability, 97.3% indicated willingness to take the SMART again, with more than half willing to complete it on a weekly basis. Conclusion The preliminary normative data on the SMART indicates that it is a feasible and well-accepted web-based cognitive assessment tool that can be administered on multiple device platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mira I. Leese
- Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Nora Mattek
- Oregon Center for Aging & Technology, Portland, OR, USA,Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | | | | | - Sarah Gothard
- Oregon Center for Aging & Technology, Portland, OR, USA,Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Jeffrey Kaye
- Oregon Center for Aging & Technology, Portland, OR, USA,Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Adriana M. Hughes
- Oregon Center for Aging & Technology, Portland, OR, USA,Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA,Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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