The Effects of Digital Device Proficiency and Satisfaction with Digital Education on Ego Integrity in Older Adults: The Mediating Role of Self-Efficacy

With the recent expansion of digital education for older adults, digital device proficiency and satisfaction with digital education have emerged as key factors in enhancing the quality of life in later years.The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of digital device proficiency and satisfaction with digital education on ego integrity-a major psychosocial task in old age-through the mediating role of self-efficacy.To this end, a survey was conducted with 141 individuals aged 65 and older residing in Region C. The data were analyzed using the three-step mediation analysis method and the bootstrap technique.The results are as follows: First, satisfaction with digital education among older adults had a statistically significant positive effect on ego integrity.In other words, higher satisfaction with digital education was associated with higher levels of ego integrity.Second, among digital device proficiencies, smartphone proficiency and digital education satisfaction were found to affect self-efficacy positively.That is, as smartphone proficiency and satisfaction with digital education increased, so did self-efficacy.Third, self-efficacy was found to play a statistically significant mediating role in the relationship between satisfaction with digital education and ego integrity, indicating that higher self-efficacy contributes to higher ego integrity.Based on these findings, this study suggests policy and practical measures to promote digital education and enhance satisfaction with such programs to support the development of ego integrity among older adults.