Subjective Well-Being of Independent Elderly in Digital Adaptation: A Study at BKL Sekar Melati Elderly School, Special Region of Yogyakarta

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14421/jpm.2026.101-05

Keywords:

Digital Adaptation, Elderly, Subjective Well-Being, Social Support, Aging Population

Abstract

This study examines digital adaptation and subjective well-being among independent older adults at BKL Sekar Melati, Yogyakarta. Subjective well- being is understood as encompassing life satisfaction, positive affect, and negative affect, while independent older adults refer to functionally independent individuals who are able to perform daily activities without assistance. Digital adaptation is defined as the process through which older adults develop skills and strategies to engage with digital devices according to their everyday needs. Using a qualitative descriptive–interpretive approach, this study involved ten primary informants aged 60–80 years selected through purposive sampling from BKL Sekar Melati Elderly School, Condongcatur, Sleman. Additional data were obtained from one program administrator and three family companion informants. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, non-participant observation, and documentation. The findings reveal three main themes: selective digital engagement, in which older adults prioritize communication and entertainment platforms over more complex digital services; affective duality, where enjoyment, enthusiasm, and meaningfulness coexist with confusion, feelings of inferiority, and anxiety about digital security; and the mediating role of family and peer-group support within the Elderly School community. The study concludes that subjective well-being in digital adaptation emerges from the balance between life satisfaction gained through meaningful digital activities and the ongoing regulation of negative affect. The findings suggest the need for peer-based digital literacy training, empathy-centered facilitation for family companions, and simplified interface design to support older users.

Author Biography

  • Kafa Abdallah Kafaa, Departemen Pembangunan Sosial dan Kesejahteraan, FISIPOL, UGM

    Dosen di Departemen Pembangunan Sosial dan Kesejahteraan, FISIPOL, UGM

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Published

28-07-2026

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 1 (2026): Jurnal Pemberdayaan Masyarakat

Section

Research Article

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