Concepts, Terms, and Mental Models: Everyday Challenges to Older Adult Social Media Adoption

Connected but lonely? The role of social networking sites among older adults experiencing isolation and loneliness

OBJECTIVES

This study examines the extent to which communications via social networking sites (SNS) ameliorates the emotional distress associated with isolation and loneliness among older adults.

METHOD

We utilize the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) for survey years 2014, 2016, and 2018 (N = 8,466). The sample consists of adults (55+) who participated in the Psycho-Social module. Utilizing random-effects linear regression models, we test associations of isolation and loneliness on emotional distress outcomes, including depression, negative affect, and positive affect. Additionally, we assessed whether communications via SNS moderate these relationships.

RESULTS

Loneliness, compared to isolation, is consistently associated with emotional distress among older adults. SNS attenuates mental and emotional distress among those who are objectively isolated while magnifying the negative impacts of loneliness. The associations between SNS communications and emotional distress are conditional on degrees of isolation and loneliness. In particular, greater SNS use is associated with higher negative affect among those who feel lonely but higher positive affect among those who are isolated.

CONCLUSION

SNS may offset social isolation among older adults, whereas heavy reliance on SNS when one feels lonely may amplify that internalization. Assessments of social technology would benefit from distinguishing isolation and loneliness conditions.

Development of the 'SNS older adults measure' (SNS-OA) to examine social network site use in older adults

OBJECTIVES

Social Networking Sites (SNSs) may ameliorate loneliness in later life but no measure of SNS use for this population exists. This study describes the development of the 'SNS Older Adults measure' (SNS-OA), to improve understanding of older adults' SNS use and its relationship to social wellbeing.

METHODS

The SNS-OA underwent initial development, including literature reviews and consultation with target population (n = 9) and experts (n = 9); piloting (n = 74), and evaluation of psychometric properties (n = 263).

RESULTS

The final measure comprised three 'motive' scales (using SNSs to maintain close ties, maintain and strengthen weaker ties and diversion), and two 'affect' scales (positive/negative). Whilst many items were weakly endorsed by participants, the measure demonstrated good reliability (Cronbach α = 0.85; ICC = 0.82) and some convergent validity, with some subscales correlating with a personality measure in hypothesised directions. No statistically significant correlations were observed between the measure and social wellbeing.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the measure's limitations, this research has enabled a better understanding of SNS use in older adults and has important implications for research in this area. Findings also suggest a complex relationship between social wellbeing and SNS use in later life.

Social networking sites and the experience of older adult users: a systematic review

This study aimed to systematically review the use of social networking sites (SNSs) from an older adult perspective (all papers had an average sample age of 65+ and samples ranged in age from 50 to 98). Characteristics of older adult SNS users, incentives and disincentives for use, and the relationship between SNS use, wellbeing and cognitive function were explored. From a systematic search, 21 papers met inclusion criteria and were subjected to a quality review. Paper quality was often low or medium, as rated by a standard quality assessment framework. Results indicated that older adult SNS users were more likely to have particular characteristics, including being female and younger. The main incentive for use was to maintain contact with family and friends. Disincentives included privacy concerns and lack of perceived usefulness. The relationship between SNS use, wellbeing and cognitive function was inconclusive. SNS use is a multi-dimensional phenomenon that needs to be understood in the context of broader communication practices, individuals’ social relationships, and individual preferences and characteristics.

Cognitive Effects of Social Media Use: A Case of Older Adults

Research on the effects of social media use at older ages has largely focused on social benefits. Yet, participation in these new media forms may result in other favorable outcomes, such as improved cognitive functioning. Using a wait list-control design, this study examines the effects of social media engagement among novice adult social media users, aged 65 and older, in four cognitive domains: attention, processing speed, working memory, and inhibitory control. Baseline and multiple post-tests indicate improvement of intervention participants in inhibitory control. These findings demonstrate that the benefits of social media use at older ages extend beyond mere social engagement, and into other domains of everyday well-being.

The Cognitive Benefits of Social Media Use in Later Life: Results of a Randomized, Controlled Pilot Study

Research on the effects of social media use at older ages has largely been focused on social benefits. Yet, participation in these new media forms may result in other favorable outcomes, such as improved cognitive functioning. Using a wait list control design, this study examines the effects of social media engagement among adult social media non-users, aged 65 and older, in four cognitive domains: attention, processing speed, working memory, and inhibitory control. Baseline and multiple post-tests indicate improvement of intervention participants in processing speed and inhibitory control. These findings demonstrate that the benefits of social media use at older ages extend beyond mere social engagement, and into other domains of everyday well-being.