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Self-management of social well-being in a cross-sectional study among community-dwelling older adults: the added value of digital participation.

Scheffer, M.M.J., Menting, J., Boeije, H. Self-management of social well-being in a cross-sectional study among community-dwelling older adults: the added value of digital participation. BMC Geriatrics: 2021, 21(1), p. Art. nr. 539.
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Background
This study aimed to examine associations between self-management abilities and digital participation among community-dwelling older adults with chronic conditions in the Netherlands.

Methods
The study utilized a cross-sectional design. Community-dwelling older adults were sampled from a Dutch nationwide panel study performed in October and November of 2019. We selected all adults of 65 years and above who had one or more chronic diseases (n = 1,656). Self-management was measured by six abilities (e.g., investing in resources for long-term benefits and taking care of a variety of resources), whereas digital participation was estimated with the frequency of four social internet uses (e.g., using social network websites and calling digitally).

Results
When predicting self-management abilities from digital participation, hierarchical multiple regression analysis determined statistically significant and positive relationships, in particular for e-mailing (β = 0.21; p < .001) and meeting new people online (β = 0.07; p < .05). Correlation analyses showed that highest associations were found between internet usage and the self-management abilities ‘taking initiative’ (r = .23; p < .001) and ‘being self-efficacious’ (r = .21; p < .001). Moreover, the study confirmed that higher age (β = -0.13; p < .001) and increased severity of disability (β = -0.12; p < .01) negatively impact abilities for self-management.

Conclusions
These findings suggest that internet usage and self-management abilities are positively related in the older adult population. Further research should be undertaken to examine the links between self-management abilities and digital participation more closely.