The Contribution of Distress Factors and Coping Resources to the Motivation to Use ICT Among Adults With Intellectual Disability During COVID-19

The current study focused on people with intellectual disability (ID), who have unique disadvantages that place them at greater risk for negative outcomes due to COVID-19. The study goals are three-fold: (a) To examine whether differences in distress factors (loneliness and stress) would be found between adults with ID who used the Zoom application, and those who did not use Zoom during the pandemic; (b) To examine whether differences in psychological and coping resources (psychological capital), and practical-technological resources (attitudes and motivation to use information communication technology) would be found between the groups; (c) To examine the contribution of background variables (gender, type of residence, Zoom use), distress factors and psychological and practical technological coping resources on the motivation to use technology. The sample included 35 adults with ID (MCA = 40.06, SD = 11.02). Of these, 57% learned to use the Zoom application during the COVID-19 pandemic (N = 20), and 47% did not (N = 15). Participants answered seven questionnaires examining distress factors and psychological and technological resources. Both groups exhibited distress factors. However, the Zoom users demonstrated higher scores in hope and motivation to use technology. Regression analysis indicated that the resilience and attitudes toward technology among the Zoom users contributed to the explained variance of motivation to use technology. In light of the higher coping resources among Zoom users, we may carefully say that using Zoom might increase the independence of individuals with ID in learning, develop their communications possibilities, and help them to cope better in distress situations.