老化自我知觉如何影响老年人的数字适应与心理健康

How Self-Perceptions of Aging Influence Older Adults’ Digital Adaptation and Mental Health

摘要: 在人口老龄化与社会数字化同步推进的背景下，老年人的数字适应问题正逐渐成为影响其心理健康的重要现实议题。老化自我知觉作为个体对自身衰老过程的认知、情感与评价，不仅影响老年人的情绪体验和行为选择，也深刻影响其面对数字技术时的态度、信心及适应方式。本文基于近年来老化自我知觉、数字适应与心理健康领域的相关研究，从应用心理学视角探讨老化自我知觉影响老年人数字适应及其心理健康的内在机制。研究认为，消极老化自我知觉可能通过加剧技术焦虑、削弱自我效能、减少社会联结等路径，降低老年人的数字参与水平，并进一步增加其抑郁、孤独感和生活满意度下降的风险；积极老化自我知觉则有助于提升数字学习意愿、增强适应信心，并通过促进社会参与改善心理健康。文章进一步指出，老年数字适应促进不应局限于技能培训，还应重视年龄刻板印象矫正、心理赋能与支持性环境建构。本文可为应用心理学视角下的老年心理服务、社区干预及数字助老实践提供理论参考。

Abstract: Against the backdrop of simultaneous population aging and social digitalization, older adults’ digital adaptation has gradually become a significant real-world issue affecting their mental health. Aging self-perceptions, as individuals’ cognitive, emotional, and evaluative views of their own aging process, not only influence older adults’ emotional experiences and behavioral choices, but also profoundly shape their attitudes, confidence, and adaptive approaches when facing digital technologies. Drawing on recent research in the fields of aging self-perceptions, digital adaptation, and mental health, this paper explores, from the perspective of applied psychology, the internal mechanisms through which aging self-perceptions affect older adults’ digital adaptation and mental health. The study suggests that negative aging self-perceptions may reduce older adults’ level of digital participation by intensifying technology anxiety, weakening self-efficacy, and decreasing social connectedness, thereby further increasing the risk of depression, loneliness, and reduced life satisfaction. In contrast, positive aging self-perceptions may help enhance older adults’ willingness to engage in digital learning, strengthen their confidence in adaptation, and improve mental health by promoting social participation. The paper further points out that efforts to promote digital adaptation among older adults should not be limited to skills training, but should also emphasize the correction of age-related stereotypes, psychological empowerment, and the construction of supportive environments. This paper may provide theoretical reference for psychological services for older adults, community-based interventions, and digital assistance practices for older adults from the perspective of applied psychology.