Association Between Future Self-Continuity and Older Adults’ Acceptance of Camera-Based Active and Assisted Living Technologies

Camera-based active and assisted living (AAL) technologies offer a promising solution to the challenges of population ageing but are not widely accepted by older adults. One possible reason for this resistance is a lack of identification with one's future self, who is the primary beneficiary of such technologies. This study investigated the extent to which future self-continuity - the sense of psychological connectedness between present and future selves - influences older adults' acceptance of camera-based AAL technologies. Results from an online sample of older adults (<i>n</i> = 183) demonstrated that greater future self-continuity was associated with increased acceptance. This relationship was mediated by perceived usefulness: older adults with more vivid and positive views of their future selves exhibited stronger recognition of the technology's long-term benefits, which in turn increased acceptance. These findings highlight future self-continuity as a promising psychological target for interventions aimed at enhancing older adults' acceptance of camera-based AAL technologies.