| dc.description.abstract | With the rapid acceleration of population ageing, smart elderly care technologies are increasingly
adopted to support ageing in place and improve older adults’ quality of life (QoL). However, the mechanisms
linking technology use to health outcomes remain unclear. This study investigates the impact of technology
adoption on QoL among elderly households in Guangzhou, focusing on the mediating role of health selfmanagement.
A cross-sectional survey of 452 respondents aged 55+ measured: (1) technology adoption (usefulness,
ease of use, usage); (2) health self-management (self-monitoring, medication adherence, lifestyle management,
problem-solving, self-efficacy); and (3) QoL (physical, psychological, social, environmental). Confirmatory
factor analyses (CFA) indicated good model fit for all constructs, with significant factor loadings (p < 0.001).
Path analysis and bootstrap mediation testing (5,000 resamples) were conducted.
Technology adoption significantly predicted health self-management (β = 1.040, p < 0.001). The direct
effect on QoL was positive but non-significant (β = 0.781, p = 0.108), and health self-management to QoL was
also non-significant (β = 0.222, p = 0.653). Bootstrap results revealed a significant indirect effect of technology
adoption on QoL via health self-management (effect = 0.411, 95% CI [0.346, 0.469]), explaining 56.5% of the
total effect (total = 0.728, 95% CI [0.663, 0.793]).
Overall, technology adoption improves QoL mainly through enhancing health self-management, while
direct effects are not significant. Policy and interventions should combine technology provision with
behavioral support to maximize QoL gains. | en_US |
