The Role of Informal Learning: A Path Analysis of Factors Impacting Older Adults' Information Security Behaviors in Internet Use
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54097/dj2rer88Keywords:
Older Adults, Informal Learning, Information Security Behaviors, Path AnalysisAbstract
The current study examined older adults' information security behavior and explored factors that impacted and mediated their information security behavior. Older adults (N = 492) were recruited from the China General Social Survey (CGSS) and participated in a survey. Results of the path analysis indicated that personal traits (such as financial status, education, and health), emotion, and perceived threat factors were significant predictors of the outcome, namely, the information security behavior of older adults. Meanwhile, this predicting-outcome relationship was mediated by the mediators such as learning habits and self-efficacy. The findings underscore the importance of developing tailored educational interventions and supportive learning environments that address both the personal traits and the psychological mediators to effectively enhance older adults' capabilities in navigating the digital world safely. The study is significant in that it contributes to the research and practicing community the understanding of the relationship between older adults' information security behavior and the factors that predict and mediate older adults' self-efficacy in computer use.
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