A study of Digital Literacy and Age Discrimination on Life Satisfaction among the Elderly

Objectives: This study aims to analyze the relationship between information device utilization ability, age discrimination, and life satisfaction among the elderly by using the data of Elderly Welfare Survey(2020). Methods: A total of 10,097 older adults were surveyed, examining variables such as sociodemographic characteristics, information device utilization ability, age discrimination, and life satisfaction. SPSS 25.0 was used to perform t-tests and ANOVA to identify differences in information device utilization ability, age discrimination, and life satisfaction based on sociodemographic characteristics. Hierarchical regression analysis was conducted to examine the impact of information device utilization ability and age discrimination on life satisfaction. Results: The findings indicate that life satisfaction among older adults is significantly related to sociodemographic characteristics, information device utilization ability, and experiences of age discrimination. Hierarchical regression analysis showed that higher information device utilization ability (B=0.04) and fewer experiences of age discrimination (B=-0.017) significantly contributed to an increase in life satisfaction. Conclusions: There is a significant relationship between life satisfaction, information device utilization ability, and age discrimination among older adults. Efforts to improve older adults' information device utilization ability and reduce age discrimination are essential. Such efforts should include individual-level support as well as welfare policies and institutional support at the systemic level.