The effect of the Big Five Personality on the intention to use mHealth applications among the Chinese elderly: A National-based Study (Preprint)
Authors: Chang Jinghui , Li Anqi , Yang Xixi , Li Chunnan , Mai Yanshan , Zhang Dayi , Yan Wende , Chen Jiangyun , Wu Yibo 
Published: July 2023

BACKGROUND

With the rapid aging of the population in China, mHealth applications under the background of digital society provide new tools to support active aging. The mHealth application is also beneficial to the self-health management of older adults. However, the willingness of the elderly to adopt mHealth still needs to be improved.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the research was to identify the relationship between the Big Five personality traits and the adoption intention of mHealth applications among elderly residents in mainland China.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey of 3712 older adults in 148 cities across China was conducted in 2022 using a multi-stage sampling method. The effect of the Big Five personality on the use of mHealth devices among older adults was analyzed by multiple linear regression. The independent variable was Big Five personality, measured using the short version of the Big Five Personality Inventory (BFI-10). The dependent variable was intention to use the mHealth application, measured using a sliding scale. Moderators included sociodemographic characteristics and psychosocial variables measured by the General Information Questionnaire, the Chinese versions of the Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS), the Family Health Scale (FHS-SF), and the Health Literacy Scale (HLS-SF 12).

RESULTS

Chinese seniors' willingness to use eHealth applications scored (63.31±25.09). Multiple linear regression was applied to analyze the correlation between the Big Five Personality and intention to adopt mHealth applications among Chinese older adults. Out of the Big Five, three personality traits including extraversion, agreeableness, and openness exerted statistically significant effects. Higher scores of extraversion (beta=0.59, t=1.98, P=0.04) and openness (beta=1.89, t=6.12, P＜0.01) contributed to adoption intention of mHealth applications among elderly people. While who with higher scores of agreeableness (beta=-1.09, t=-3.22, P＜0.01) have lower adoption intention. Agreeableness and openness were the most significant predictors of Chinese older adults’ willingness to adopt mHealth applications.

CONCLUSIONS

While Chinese seniors have an upper medium propensity to use mHealth devices, there is still room for improvement. Higher scores of extraversion and openness contributed to the intention to adopt mHealth applications among older people. And those with higher scores of agreeableness have lower intention to adopt. In conclusion, Chinese older adults' adoption intentions are influenced by a combination of factors. Among the differences in personality traits, extraversion, agreeableness and openness of the Big Five personality are the influencing factors of older adults’ intention to use mHealth devices, and the elderly with high extraversion, openness and low agreeableness are more willing to use mHealth applications. Thus, healthcare professionals, health managers and mHealth device developers can take personalised and accurate intervention measures for the use of mHealth devices by elderly people with different personalities to promote the use of eHealth applications by elderly people.