Determinants of Digital Payment Adoption among Older Adults in Kerala using an Extended UTAUT Model with Trust

Abstract

Digital payments systems have become increasingly prevalent in India post-demonetization and the COVID-19 pandemic; yet, acceptance among older individuals in Kerala is inconsistent despite elevated literacy rates and extensive smartphone usage. This research investigated the factors influencing digital payment uptake among persons aged 50 and older, utilizing an augmented Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model that includes trust. A quantitative cross-sectional survey was performed with 300 participants from Kozhikode, Ernakulam, and Thiruvananthapuram, and the data were analyzed utilizing regression methods. The results demonstrate that trust is the most significant predictor of behavioral intention, succeeded by performance expectancy and effort expectancy. Social influence exerted a small impact, whereas conducive factors substantially affected actual usage. The findings indicate a continual access–usage gap, suggesting that mere digital access does not guarantee ongoing adoption. The research underscores the significance of trust, usability, focused digital literacy programs, and enhanced security protocols to facilitate digital payment acceptance among senior citizens.