Perceived health-related mobile device usefulness in older adults: Results from the Health Information National Trends Survey

The goal of this study was to examine the role of older adults’ demographic, socio-economic, and health background in their perceptions of health-related mobile device usefulness. This examination was performed through the prism of the social stratification and the social diversification hypotheses. Data were obtained from the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) 5 Cycle 4 and analyzed using logistic regression models. The sample included 1373 U.S. mobile device owners aged 60 years and older. An interaction between age (being 75 years old or older) and race (self-affiliation with White race) was found with respect to the perception of usefulness of mobile devices for achieving health-related goal and patient–provider communication. Being married, female gender, self-rated health, and hypertension diagnosis positively related to the perception of usefulness for achieving health-related goal. Being diagnosed with mental health disorder positively related to the perception of usefulness for health decision-making and patient–provider communication. Education and income levels also demonstrated several associations with the dependent variables. The findings mostly supported the third-level digital divide perspective and both theoretical hypotheses. The findings imply that some groups of older adults tend to benefit more than others from health-related mobile device use.