Toward Technology Attitudinal Research among Iranian Older Adults: Are They Technophile or Technophobe?

Objective: Older adults’ attitudes toward technology are a key determinant of its acceptance or rejection, directly impacting the effectiveness of health interventions. The present study aimed to investigate and measure older adults’ attitudes toward technology and to examine factors associated with these attitudes among individuals attending comprehensive health centers in Iran.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 420 participants were selected using multi-stage random sampling. The P.TechPH scale was employed to assess both technophilia and technophobia. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16.
Results: The mean TechPH score (3.59 ± 0.40) indicated generally positive technophilic attitudes among the participants. Higher levels of technophilia were observed in individuals aged 60–65, those with higher socioeconomic status, employed participants, and those with higher educational attainment. Daily Internet users and individuals with greater proficiency in using phones or tablets also exhibited significantly higher technophilia levels (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to foster positive attitudes toward technology among older adults, taking into account individual beliefs and relevant sociodemographic factors.