Receiving feedback after posting status updates on social networking sites predicts lower loneliness: A mediated moderation model

The Effect of Social Media Forwarding on Subjective Well-Being in Chinese Older Adults: A Moderated Mediation Model

Purpose

In the intersection of the aging and information era, the development of digital aging significantly influences the well-being of older individuals. Given the divergent findings in various studies exploring the effects of social media use on mental health, this study specifically examined the impact of forwarding, a prevalent social media behavior among older individuals, focusing on the effects of use intensity on their subjective well-being (SWB) and the specific mechanisms involved.

Materials and Methods

A total of 323 Chinese older adults completed the questionnaire. SPSS along with Hayes Process Models 4 and 7 was employed to test the hypotheses.

Results

The results indicated that social media forwarding intensity significantly and positively predicted SWB of older adults. This association was partially mediated by perceived social support (PSS) and self-esteem. Gender served as a moderator, highlighting that the positive predictive effects of forwarding intensity on PSS and self-esteem were more pronounced for older men than for older women. Further, the findings confirmed the existence of the moderated mediating effect such that the impact of forwarding on SWB was mediated through both PSS and self-esteem for older men, while, for older women, it was solely mediated by PSS.

Conclusion

This study revealed the positive impact of forwarding, a user-friendly social media function, on the well-being of older adults and elucidated the specific mechanisms through a moderated mediation model. In light of these findings, we propose customizing the development of age-friendly social media functions to address the diverse psychological needs of older adults, taking into account gender differences. These findings may offer valuable insights for constructing digital age-friendly platforms and fostering active aging development.

Positive Self-Disclosure on Social Network Sites and Adolescents' Friendship Quality: The Mediating Role of Positive Feedback and the Moderating Role of Social Anxiety

In the current information age, SNSs (Social Network Sites) have been popular among young adolescents, and have also become a main manner to maintain social relationships. Against this background, based on relevant evidence, the present study aimed to examine the association between positive self-disclosure on SNSs and adolescents' friendship quality, as well as the underlying mechanism-the potential mediating role of perceived positive feedback and the moderating role of social anxiety. A sample of 1713 adolescents aged 11 to 19 was recruited to participate in this study, to complete a set of scales. Results indicated that positive self-disclosure on SNSs was positively associated with adolescents' friendship quality, and positive feedback significantly mediated the association between self-disclosure positivity and friendship quality. This mediating effect, moderated by social anxiety, could significantly moderate the mediating effect of positive feedback; specifically, compared with higher social anxiety adolescents, the association between positive self-disclosure and positive feedback was stronger among individuals with lower social anxiety. These findings may expand previous studies, with several theoretical and practical implications.

Loneliness predicts physical and mental health-related quality of life over 9 months among patients with coronary heart disease

This study investigated whether loneliness would predict physical and mental health-related quality of life (HRQoL) over 9 months and examined whether medical adherence would mediate their associations in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). The overall design is a three-wave longitudinal study. A sample of 255 outpatients with CHD was recruited from a community-based cardiac rehabilitation programme. Participants, with a mean age of 63 years, completed measures assessing loneliness, depression and physical and mental HRQoL at baseline. Medical adherence was assessed at 3 months, and physical and mental HRQoL were reassessed at 9 months. A total of 88% of participants reported moderate or high loneliness. Baseline loneliness predicted physical and mental HRQoL at 9 months after adjusting for baseline physical and mental HRQoL, respectively. The effects remained significant when depression was also adjusted. Medical adherence at 3 months partially mediated the associations of baseline loneliness with 9-month physical and mental HRQoL. Findings underline the necessity of assessing loneliness for CHD patients to promote long-term medical adherence and further improve physical and mental HRQoL.

Understanding and overcoming challenges in times of personal or global crisis-Editorial on the Special Issue on Loneliness and Health

The ever-present interest in loneliness has increased during the last decade. Although loneliness is generally not as prevalent as other topics and not among the top 5 most read papers in the journal Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, it is closely connected to topics therein, such as well-being and health. Conceptualizing loneliness as indicator of risk, it may function as a cue for action. Accordingly, understanding loneliness, its development, prevalence, effects, and how to support individuals to prevent or overcome loneliness is key and the main aim of this special issue. Therefore, theories and models are reviewed in this paper and synthesized together with other aspects relating to the field of loneliness research and intervention. Accordingly, we propose an agenda including key determinants (e.g., risk groups), how to proceed (various research methods), intervention components (e.g., behavior change techniques, SDGs), and how to perform dissemination (open science practices, co-creative approaches, etc.). The original studies in this special issue provide stimulating examples. Moreover, the commentaries give new insights and inspiring ideas. Overall, this special issue aims to give readers a lens with which to re-examine their own research, enable innovation, and empower addressing loneliness and its interconnection synergistically.