Presentation Schedule
Older People’s Experiences of Ageism and the Use of Digital Technologies (93396)
Session Chair: Beatriz David
Sunday, 13 July 2025 13:30
Session: Session 3
Room: UCL Torrington, G13 (Ground Floor)
Presentation Type:Oral Presentation
The multifaceted impact of ageism on older people's digital technology (DT) use remains an insufficiently researched topic. To address this our study aimed to investigate the experiences of internalized and relational ageism in relation to digital technology use among older Lithuanian digital adopters. Focus group discussions were conducted of older DT users, aged 65 and over (4 men and 9 women), with varying levels of digital skills and confidence in using digital technologies. The study revealed that older DT users exhibited various experiences of internalized and relational ageism. The impact of internalized ageism was multifaceted - it affected people‘s attitudes, emotions, behavioral reactions that interfered with their digital engagement. Experiences of relational ageism were generally subtle but affected DT use in similar ways as internalized ageism. Notably, a close and reciprocal relationship between internalized and relational ageism was revealed - the behavior of other people could reinforce or help older person to challenge ageing stereotypes. Surprisingly, study also revealed a paradoxical effect of ageism - for some participants, experiencing ageism helped them accept technological setbacks more easily, motivated them to adapt, work harder or use digital technologies to challenge ageistic assumptions. These findings highlight the need for digital divide interventions to address ageism and promote positive environments that help older people challenge stereotypes. Future studies should explore individual differences that may influence why some older adults resist stereotypes while others accept them, and further explore other areas of life affected by ageism.
Authors:
Gabrielė Gudynaitė, Vilnius University, Lithuania
Vilmantė Pakalniškienė, Vilnius University, Lithuania
Olga Zamalijeva, Vilnius University, Lithuania
About the Presenter(s)
Gabrielė Gudynaitė is a Doctoral student at the Institute of Psychology at Vilnius university, Lithuania
Connect on ResearchGate
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Gabriele-Gudynaite
Additional website of interest
https://www.fsf.vu.lt/en/institute-of-psychology/psychology-institute-staff/5259-gabriele-gudynaite
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