Social Media Communication and Loneliness Among Older Adults: The Mediating Roles of Social Support and Social Contact

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kunyu Zhang ◽  
Kyungmin Kim ◽  
Nina M Silverstein ◽  
Qian Song ◽  
Jeffrey A Burr
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Older People ◽  
Social Ties ◽  
Perceived Social Support ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Media Communication ◽  
Social Media Communication

Abstract Background and Objectives Social media communication offers a medium for helping older people stay socially and emotionally connected with others. This study investigated the association between social media communication with close social ties and loneliness among community-dwelling older adults. The study also examined the mediating roles of social support and social contact. Research Design and Methods Four waves of data from the Health and Retirement Study (2010/2012 and 2014/2016) were used to address the research questions (N = 7,524). A path model was estimated to examine the association between social media communication and older adults’ loneliness. We also examined whether the association between social media communication and loneliness was mediated by perceived social support from close social ties (children, other family members, and friends) and frequency of contact with social network members (phone, in-person contact, and writing letters/email). Results The results showed that frequent social media communication was associated with lower levels of loneliness, adjusting for previous levels of loneliness. The relationship between social media communication and loneliness was mediated by perceived social support and social contact. Thus, social media communication was associated with higher levels of perceived social support and social contact, which were related to lower levels of loneliness among older adults. Discussion and Implications These findings suggested that social media communication may be considered an intervention to reduce loneliness among older people by increasing levels of social support and social contact.

scholarly journals Social Media Use and Loneliness Among Older Adults: The Mediating Role of Social Contact and Perceived Social Support

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 321-321
Author(s):  
Kunyu Zhang ◽  
Jeffrey Burr ◽  
Kyungmin Kim ◽  
Nina Silverstein ◽  
Qian Song
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Social Ties ◽  
Perceived Social Support ◽  
Media Use ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Social Media Use ◽  
Media Communication ◽  
Social Media Communication

Abstract Loneliness is a risk factor for poor quality of life among older adults. Social media use provides a new dimension of communication for older adults to connect with people and to maintain social relationships. However, research has been inconclusive about whether social media use reduces loneliness among older adults, which is due in part to a lack of appropriate measures for capturing different types of social media use. Furthermore, little is known about the underlying mechanisms through which social media use is associated with loneliness. This study investigates the association between social media communication with close social ties and loneliness among community-dwelling older adults (65+), and further examines the mediating role of social contact and social support in the association. Data from the 2014 wave of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) are analyzed to address our research questions (N = 4,184). Path analyses are employed to examine the relationships among social media communication with close social ties (i.e., children, family, and friends), frequency of contact with social ties (i.e., phone, in-person contact, write/email), perceived social support from social ties, and loneliness (R-UCLA loneliness scale). The results show that a higher level of social media communication is associated with lower levels of loneliness through social contact and perceived social support. Moreover, the relationship between social media communication and perceived social support is partially mediated by social contact. These findings suggest that social media communication may be considered an intervention that may reduce loneliness among older people.

scholarly journals Professional Social Media Usage and Work Engagement: A Four-Wave Follow-Up Study of Finnish Professionals Before and During the COVID-19 Outbreak (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reetta Oksa ◽  
Markus Kaakinen ◽  
Nina Savela ◽  
Jari Juhani Hakanen ◽  
Atte Oksanen
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Work Engagement ◽  
Perceived Social Support ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Media Communication ◽  
Media Usage ◽  
Social Media Communication ◽  
And Task

BACKGROUND COVID-19 pandemic has changed work life profoundly and concerns of employees’ mental well-being have risen. Organizations have taken rapid digital leaps and started to use new collaborative tools such as social media platforms overnight. OBJECTIVE Our study investigated how professional social media usage has affected work engagement before and during the COVID-19 and the role of perceived social support, task resources and psychological distress as predictors and moderators of work engagement. METHODS Nationally representative longitudinal survey data were collected in 2019–2020, and 965 respondents participated to all four surveys. Measures included work engagement (UWES-9), perceived social support and task resources (COPSOQ II) and psychological distress (GHQ-12). The data was analyzed using hybrid linear regression modeling. RESULTS Work engagement remained stable and only decreased in autumn 2020. Within-person changes in social media communication at work, social support, task resources, and psychological distress were all associated with work engagement. The negative association between psychological distress and work engagement was stronger in autumn 2020 than before the COVID-19 outbreak. CONCLUSIONS COVID-19 puts pressure on mental health at work. Fostering social support and task resources at work are important in maintaining work engagement. Social media communication could help in sustaining supportive work environment. CLINICALTRIAL Not applicable

scholarly journals SOCIAL ISOLATION AND FALLS RISK AMONG COMMUNITY DWELLING OLDER ADULTS: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF DEPRESSION

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S293-S293
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Burr ◽  
Lien Quach
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Perceived Social Support ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Outcome Variable ◽  
Falls Risk ◽  
Risk Of Falls ◽  
Perceived Social Isolation

Abstract Relatively little is known about the relationship between social isolation and the risk of falls among older adults. Yet, a considerable amount of research demonstrates that lack of sufficient social relationships, broadly defined, represents a modifiable risk factor for many indicators of well-being in later life. This study examines the association between two types of social isolation and the risk of falls. The study also examines whether depression mediates the association between social isolation and risk of falls. Longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement Study (2006-2012) were collected from community-dwelling participants aged 65 and older (N=8,464). The outcome variable was number of falls self-reported over the observation period. Independent variables included perceived isolation (feeling lonely, perceptions of social support), social disconnectedness (e.g., having no friends or relatives living nearby, living alone), and number of depressive symptoms. Results from regression models indicated that social disconnectedness was associated with a 5% increase in the risk of falls (IRR=1.05, 95% CI=1.01-1.09). Perceived social support was associated with a 21% increase in the risk of falls; when examined together, perceived social support and loneliness were associated with a combined 37% increase in falls risk. Depression was associated with a 47% increase in falls. Depression mediated the association between perceived isolation and falls. Further, perceived isolation mediated the association between social disconnectedness and falls. Reducing perceived social isolation and social disconnectedness may be an avenue for designing interventions to reduce the risk of falls, especially for older adults with depression.

scholarly journals The Ties That Bind: How Online and Offline Interactions Affect Social Support and Quality of Life for Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 301-301
Author(s):  
Shelia Cotten
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Social Ties ◽  
Media Use ◽  
Social Media Use

Abstract Though a digital divide still exists, older adults are increasingly using a range of information and communication technologies (ICTs) – smartphones, apps, tablets, and computers – to communicate and engage with social ties. This symposium focuses on modalities of interaction – whether online or offline – that older adults use to interact with social ties. The research projects detailed examine the frequency of different interaction modalities, as well as impacts of these interaction modalities on older adults’ perceptions of social support and quality of life. Kadylak and colleagues focus on social robots and how older adults may engage with this evolving technology to improve social engagement and aging in place. Kim and Fingerman investigate whether daily social media use is associated with same-day negative or positive mood in later life. Xie and colleagues examine older adults’ patterns of both online and offline social interaction during COVID-19, and how older adults perceive these interactions. Schuster and Cotten, using a national sample of individuals aged 65 and older, examine whether social media use may be related to a range of quality of life indicators. Each of these studies provides additional insights into the ways through which older adults interact and communicate with social ties, and potential impacts of the different ways through which they interact, which may provide insights into groups seeking to increase social engagement among older adults in general and during times when social isolation may be exacerbated due to societal stressors, such as pandemics.

Racial Differences in the Effect of Stress on Health and the Moderating Role of Perceived Social Support

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (8) ◽  
pp. 1362-1381 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Sheffler ◽  
Natalie Sachs-Ericsson
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Racial Differences ◽  
Perceived Social Support ◽  
Late Life ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Health Functioning ◽  
Positive Effect ◽  
Moderating Role

Objective: The current study examined racial differences in the relationship between late-life stress and health functioning and the moderating role of perceived social support (PSS) in older adults. Method: A biracial sample of community-dwelling older adults (65+) from the first two waves of the Duke University’s Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly (EPESE; N = 2,952) was analyzed. Baseline levels of PSS and stress were obtained. Health status was assessed at baseline and follow-up. Results: Analyses revealed a positive effect of PSS on health functioning. There was a three-way interaction among race, stress, and PSS on health functioning. Probing the interaction, for Caucasians, PSS was beneficial at low stress, but not high stress. For African Americans, PSS had a positive effect regardless of stress level. Discussion: PSS is an important protective factor for preserving positive health in late-life; however, benefits may differ by race and intensity of stressor.

scholarly journals Association Between Perceived Social Support and Mental Health Status Among Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 147-154
Author(s):  
Shima Nazari ◽  
◽  
Pouya Farokhnezhad Afshar ◽  
Leila Sadegh Moghdada ◽  
Alireza Namazi Shabestari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Perceived Social Support ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
General Health Questionnaire ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Mental Health Status ◽  
Community Dwelling

Introduction: The elderly need social support to reduce their physical and mental disabilities. Perceived social support is one of the effective factors in the lifestyle of older adults. Objective: This study aimed to determine the association between perceived social support and mental health status among older adults. Materials and Methods: This research is a cross-sectional analytical study. The study data were collected using a perceived social support (PSS) scale and general health questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12). A total of 302 eligible older adults were selected through a random sampling method from primary health centers in the north, south, east, west, and center of Tehran. The inclusion criteria were those community-dwelling older adults aged ≥60 years and with normal cognitive abilities. The collected data were analyzed using t test, ANOVA, the Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regressions. Results: The mean ±SD age of older adults was 70.01 ±6.29 years. Their mean ±SD scores of the PSS and GHQ-12 were 130.95 ±16.05 and 7.29 ±5.55, respectively. The results showed no significant relationship between demographic variables and PSS. There was a significant inverse correlation between the PSS score and the GHQ-12 score (P= 0.01, r= -0.878). The PSS explained 0.66 of the total variances of “positively phrased items” of GHQ-12 (adjusted R2= 0.66) and 0.76 of the total variances of “negatively phrased items” of GHQ-12 (adjusted R2= 0.76). Conclusion: Our findings showed that the PSS and mental health are at a desirable level in this study, and the PSS is not affected by demographic variables. The PSS is a promoting factor for mental health status among older adults.

scholarly journals THE ROLE OF PERCEIVED SOCIAL SUPPORT AND PRUDENT DIET INTAKE ON ALLOSTATIC LOAD AMONG OLDER ADULTS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S83-S83
Author(s):  
Danielle D'Amico ◽  
Vivian Huang ◽  
Geneva Millett ◽  
Alexandra J Fiocco
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Allostatic Load ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Perceived Social Support ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Biological Stress ◽  
Diet Intake ◽  
Prudent Diet

Abstract Allostatic load (AL), an index of multisystem physiological dysregulation due to chronic stress, has been identified as a predictor of poor health outcomes in late life. Research suggests that perceived social support (PSS) improves health outcomes by buffering the negative effects of stress on wellbeing and increasing health promoting behaviours including consumption of a healthy prudent diet (i.e., fruits, vegetables, lean meats, nuts, and seeds). Research to date has independently demonstrated that higher PSS and prudent diet intake have an effect on AL. A paucity of research, however, has examined how dietary consumption and PSS interact to effect AL in older adults. The objective of this study was to examine the interaction between PSS and prudent diet pattern on AL in 164 non-demented, community-dwelling older adults (Mage= 68.5(.52), 64% female). PSS and diet intake were measured using the Perceived Social Support Scale and the EPIC-Norfolk Food Frequency Questionnaire, respectively. AL was composed of 16 biomarkers stemming from neuroendocrine, metabolic, inflammatory, and cardiovascular systems, stratified by sex. Controlling for age and usual daily energy intake, higher prudent diet consumption (B=-2.04, p=.001), but not PSS, was associated with lower AL. Moderation analysis revealed that higher prudent diet intake was associated with lower AL only for those with low PSS (B=-.83, p=.0006) and mean level of PSS (B=-.43, p=.02). These findings suggest that chronic biological stress may be mitigated by consuming a healthy diet specifically for older adults with lower social support and may further inform intervention strategies to promote healthy aging.

scholarly journals Loneliness, Wellbeing, and Social Activity in Scottish Older Adults Resulting from Social Distancing during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 4517
Author(s):  
Simone A. Tomaz ◽  
Pete Coffee ◽  
Gemma C. Ryde ◽  
Bridgitte Swales ◽  
Kacey C. Neely ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Perceived Social Support ◽  
Social Activity ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Positive Coping ◽  
The Impact

This study examined the impact of social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic on loneliness, wellbeing, and social activity, including social support, in Scottish older adults. A mixed methods online survey was used to examine these factors during social distancing mid-lockdown, July 2020. Participants were asked to state whether loneliness, wellbeing, social activity, and social support had changed since pre-social distancing, and to provide details of strategies used to keep socially active. A total of 1429 adults (84% aged 60+ years) living in Scotland took part. The majority reported that social distancing regulations made them experience more loneliness and less social contact and support. Loneliness during lockdown was higher than reported norms for this age group before the pandemic. A larger social network, more social contact, and better perceived social support seemed to be protective against loneliness and poor wellbeing. Positive coping strategies reported included increasing online social contact with both existing social networks and reconnecting with previous networks, as well as increasing contact with neighbours and people in the community. This underlines the importance of addressing loneliness and social support in older adults but particularly during situations where risk of isolation is high.

scholarly journals SOCIAL TIES AND SUICIDAL IDEATION AMONG OLDER ADULTS REFERRED FOR A BEHAVIORAL HEALTH EVALUATION

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S268-S268
Author(s):  
Shahrzad Mavandadi ◽  
Erin Ingram ◽  
Johanna Klaus ◽  
David Oslin
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Social Integration ◽  
Social Ties ◽  
Perceived Social Support ◽  
Suicide Screening

Abstract The association between the quality and nature of social relationships and suicidal outcomes across the lifespan is well established. However, social ties are rarely assessed in primary care and other clinical settings where older adults at high risk for suicide-related outcomes are seen. This study examined the unique associations between three indices of social ties (i.e., perceived social support, frequency of negative social exchanges, and degree of social integration) and death/suicidal ideation among 3,261 older veterans (aged 65+) who completed a clinical mental health/substance use (MH/SU) assessment upon referral to a Primary Care-Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) program. Data on sociodemographics, MH/SU conditions (e.g., depression, anxiety, and substance use), perceived health, the three indices of social ties, and death/suicidal ideation were extracted from clinical interviews. Veterans were on average 70.8 years old (+6.5 years) and primarily male. Approximately half were married and 60.3% were non-Hispanic white. Forty percent reported death ideation or suicidal ideation, as measured by the Paykel Suicide Scale. Logistic regression analyses revealed that, adjusting for covariates, while perceived social support was associated with a greater risk of reporting death ideation relative to no ideation, both social support and frequency of negative exchanges were uniquely associated with greater risk of reporting suicidal ideation relative to no ideation. Social integration was unrelated to odds of death or suicidal ideation. Findings underscore the value of integrating assessments of multiple aspects of social ties into routine PCMHI practice, as doing so has the potential to enhance suicide screening and intervention efforts.

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