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Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Aging

Date Submitted: Aug 22, 2025
Date Accepted: May 11, 2026

The final, peer-reviewed published version of this preprint can be found here:

Developing Customized Personas to Capture Intrinsic Capacity Profiles and Digital Monitoring Intentions in Older Adults: Mixed Methods Study

Xuan Z, Niu Y, Kang R, Xiao Q, Jin S, Zhao J, Wang Y, Chang H

Developing Customized Personas to Capture Intrinsic Capacity Profiles and Digital Monitoring Intentions in Older Adults: Mixed Methods Study

JMIR Aging 2026;9:e82867

DOI: 10.2196/82867

PMID: 42202287

Developing customized personas to capture intrinsic capacity profiles and digital monitoring intentions in older adults: A mixed-method study

  • Zehui Xuan; 
  • Yirou Niu; 
  • Ruifu Kang; 
  • Qian Xiao; 
  • Shuai Jin; 
  • Jie Zhao; 
  • Yanling Wang; 
  • Hong Chang

ABSTRACT

Background:

Integrated care for older people (ICOPE), focused on monitoring and optimizing the intrinsic capacity (IC) of older adults, is a new model of geriatric care that is currently being accelerated globally. Digital health technologies are recommended to monitor IC longitudinally to provide precise and timely interventions. However, little is known about the psychological intentions of engaging in digital monitoring of IC according to the profile heterogeneity of IC among older adults.

Objective:

Mapping a set of customized personas to capture the profiles of intrinsic capacity (IC) and matching psychological intentions that support personalized digital IC monitoring.

Methods:

An explanatory sequential mixed-method study was conducted at 16 sites in Beijing, China. Older adults aged ≥60 years (n=481) were selected to complete the quantitative survey. Latent profile analysis (LPA), descriptive statistics, and logistic regression analysis were performed to cluster subgroups using Mplus and SPSS. A subsample of participants from each profile (n=25) was stratified purposively sampled for semi-structured interviews. An inductive-deductive content analysis was adopted to identify similar attributes and affirmed the personas gradually. A joint statistical and thematic visualization method was employed to integrate the customized personas.

Results:

Three profiles of IC pattern emerged: ‘Multi-subdomain decline-IC imbalance group’ , ‘Multi-subdomain moderate-sensory deficit group’ and ‘Multi-subdomain robust-whole balance group’. The distribution of latent profiles was influenced by age, education, monthly per capita household income, self-rated health, and number of chronic diseases, while positively impacting older adults’ functional ability. The following customized personas were captured regarding established themes: ‘Affects my mood- Anxious evader’, ‘Capitalize on what comes- Accommodative adopter’, and ‘More autonomy- Active improver’, mapping the distinct digital monitoring beliefs of IC.

Conclusions:

Identifying and respecting group heterogeneity among older adults with IC, monitoring goals, health literacy, digital skills, and social support are critical for adopting strategies for digital IC monitoring. The findings highlight that in the context of ICOPE, community healthcare workers should fully understand the willingness, goals, and preferences of older adults to participate in digital IC monitoring. Three customized personas provide an actionable IC monitoring framework for enabling tailored digital health strategies aligned with distinct psychosocial intentions.


 Citation

Please cite as:

Xuan Z, Niu Y, Kang R, Xiao Q, Jin S, Zhao J, Wang Y, Chang H

Developing Customized Personas to Capture Intrinsic Capacity Profiles and Digital Monitoring Intentions in Older Adults: Mixed Methods Study

JMIR Aging 2026;9:e82867

DOI: 10.2196/82867

PMID: 42202287

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