JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

The swift pace of digital transformation has heightened individuals’ dependence on digital technologies. This makes it imperative to explore how individual factors such as digital self-efficacy and social capital affect satisfaction with the daily life changes stemming from digital transformation. This investigation is particularly essential among middle-aged and older adults because they encounter numerous challenges and opportunities from digital transformation.

Objective:

This study examined the moderating effect of social capital on the relationship between digital self-efficacy and satisfaction with the daily life changes stemming from digital transformation among middle-aged and older adults.

Methods:

This study utilized data from the 2022 Digital Divide Survey conducted by the National Information Society Agency in South Korea. The sample included 4,155 individuals aged 40 or older, of whom 71.8% (n=2,985) were classified as middle-aged (40–64 years) and 28.2% (n=1,170) as older adults (65–96 years). Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression models with SPSS version 27.0 and the PROCESS macro.

Results:

Compared to the middle-aged group, the older adult group showed lower levels of digital self-efficacy, social capital, and satisfaction with the daily life changes stemming from digital transformation. The interaction term between digital self-efficacy and social capital was significant in the middle-aged group (B=−0.11, P=.002) and the older adult group (B=−0.24, P<.001). There was a positive association between digital self-efficacy and satisfaction in both groups, and this association was stronger among those with low social capital. Further, this effect was more pronounced in the older adult group (B=0.71, P<.001 for low and B=0.47, P<.001 for high social capital) than in the middle-aged group (B=0.55, P<.001 for low and B=0.46, P<.001 for high social capital). Education level and digital competence were positively associated with satisfaction in both age groups; higher household income was positively associated with satisfaction only in the middle-aged group.

Conclusions:

Individuals with low social capital showed a stronger association between digital self-efficacy and satisfaction with the daily life changes stemming from digital transformation. Enhancing digital self-efficacy among older adults, especially those with low levels of social capital, may improve their satisfaction with the daily life changes stemming from digital transformation.