A NEW SCALE FOR ASSESSING OLDER ADULTS' WIRELESS NETWORK PROFICIENCY. (11th November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Roque, N; Boot, W
• Is Part Of: Innovation in aging. Volume 2(2018)Supplement 1
• Page Start: 477
• Page End: 477
• Publication Date: 2018-11-11
• Subjects: Aging -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- Periodicals; 612.67
• DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igy023.1781
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2399-5300

Abstract

Abstract: Proficiency with wireless networks (i.e., WiFi) is becoming increasingly necessary to interact with various emerging technologies (e.g., mobile devices, personal internet hotspots). Many component skills for interacting with wireless networks (i.e., configuration, troubleshooting) are often handled by service providers leading to potential gaps in knowledge, adding barriers to researchers administering at-home technology-based interventions. We present and validate a new scale to assess wireless network proficiency of older adults: the Wireless Network Proficiency Questionnaire (WNPQ) and a short-form, 8-question version (WNPQ-8). The WNPQ (α = .94), its subscales (α ranges from .79 to .92), and the WNPQ-8 (α = .86), were found to be highly reliable and valid measures of wireless network proficiency in a large sample (N = 147). The WNPQ was found to be highly correlated with the CPQ-12 (a measure of computer proficiency, Boot et al., 2014; r = .67, p < .001) and the MDPQ-16 (a short-form measure of mobile device proficiency, Roque & Boot, 2018; r = .76, p < .001), and weakly, negatively correlated with age (r = -.25, p = .002). A similar pattern was observed with the WNPQ-8 (CPQ-12, r = .68, p < .001; MDPQ-16, r = .76, p < .001; age, r = .26, p = .001). WNPQ scores were also found to be predictive of whether a participant can report their WiFi credentials. We conclude that the WNPQ measures may serve as useful tools for facilitating wireless network training of older adults and measuring wireless network proficiency for research purposes.