Digital Self-Efficacy, Satisfaction With the Daily Life Changes Stemming From Digital Transformation, and the Moderating Effect of Social Capital in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: Cross-Sectional Survey Study

JMIR Aging · Published 2026-07-31 · DOI 10.2196/79845

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Authors (3)

Jeongeun Choi, Hyeonmi Cho, Hyangkyu Lee

Abstract

Abstract BackgroundThe swift pace of digital transformation has heightened individuals’ dependence on digital technologies. This makes it imperative to explore how individual factors such as digital self-efficacy and social capital affect satisfaction with the daily life changes stemming from digital transformation. This investigation is particularly essential among middle-aged and older adults because they encounter numerous challenges and opportunities from digital transformation. ObjectiveThis study examined the moderating effect of social capital on the relationship between digital self-efficacy and satisfaction with the daily life changes stemming from digital transformation among middle-aged and older adults. MethodsThis study used data from the 2022 Digital Divide Survey conducted by the National Information Society Agency in South Korea. The sample included 4155 individuals aged 40 years or older, of whom 71.8% (n=2985) were classified as middle-aged (40‐64 y) and 28.2% (n=1170) as older adults (65‐96 y). Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression models with IBM SPSS (version 27.0) and the PROCESS macro. ResultsCompared with the middle-aged group, the older adult group showed lower levels of digital self-efficacy, social capital, and satisfaction with the daily life changes stemming from digital transformation. The interaction term between digital self-efficacy and social capital was significant in the middle-aged group (B=−0.11, PPPPPP ConclusionsIndividuals with low social capital showed a stronger association between digital self-efficacy and satisfaction with the daily life changes stemming from digital transformation. Enhancing digital self-efficacy among older adults, especially those with low levels of social capital, may improve their satisfaction with the daily life changes stemming from digital transformation.

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Publication details

Year
2026

Citation

Choi, J., Cho, H., Lee, H. (2026). Digital Self-Efficacy, Satisfaction With the Daily Life Changes Stemming From Digital Transformation, and the Moderating Effect of Social Capital in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: Cross-Sectional Survey Study. JMIR Aging. https://doi.org/10.2196/79845

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