ROL (QUANTITATIVE)

Introduction

Older adults may develop supportive relationships through online interactions and

enhance contact with family and friends by using the Internet. Giving and receiving tangible or

emotional assistance is the essence of social support. Perhaps older adults benefit from the direct

effects of social support by developing a safe and reliable online social network. More frequent

use of the Internet has an indirect influence on improving psychological well-being among older

adults, which supports previous reports that have suggested that Internet use can be beneficial to

well-being in later life. Social media allows older adults to express themselves, participate in

discussions and stay in contact with society. Participating in social networks can empower older

people and provide them with a sense of connectedness and greater control and self-efficacy.

Social media can be understood as internet-based applications that create links among users and

user-generated content in online environments (Obar and Wildman) Information and

communication technology (ICT) is defined as using e-mail, the Internet, social networking sites,

and voice/video technology on devices such as smartphones, computers, and tablets (Blaschke,

Freddolino, & Mullen, 2009).

Social Media - Social media can be understood as internet-based applications that create links

among users and user-generated content in online environments (Obar and Wildman)

Wellbeing - Well-being is a positive state experienced by individuals and societies (World

Health Organization, 2022)

Review of Literature

Older adults use the Internet less than all other age groups, but their rate of use has been

increasing rapidly in recent years (Perrin & Duggan, 2015).Older adults’ ICT use is also

positively associated with formal social participation, such as attending meetings and

involvement with community organizations (Cody et al., 1999; Hogeboom et al., 2010), religious

participation, and volunteer work (Choi & Dinitto, 2013).

Ihm and Hsieh (2015) reported that older adults’ offline social engagement (informal and

formal) was positively associated with instrumental ICT use (e.g., obtaining information,

services, and other resources), but not with social ICT use (e.g., using social media, posting

comments on blogs).Findings revealed that men were more likely to access and use ICT than

women. Men were more likely to access ICT (89.8% vs. 85.7%, p < .001) than women

According to a study for the Pew Internet and American Life, social networking site

(SNS) use among internet users ages 65 and older grew from 13% in 2009 to 33% in 2011 [24].

As of February 2012, one third (34%) of internet users age 65 and older used social networking
sites such as Facebook [24]. Among the 69% of those older than 65 who use social media, 68%

use Facebook [24] whereas only 20% use LinkedIn, 16% use Twitter, and 12% use Pinterest.

34% of males reported using Facebook. As of 2011, nearly seven in ten online women were

users of social networking sites (69%), compared with six in ten online men (60%). Women have

also been more active in their use of these sites with almost half of female internet users using

social networking sites on a typical day (48%) compared with 38% of male internet users

Adults with wide networks of close relatives and friends have good QoL(Quality of

work) and well-being. More frequent contacts with family were also positively correlated with

QoL. Other studies showed that beginning or maintaining participation in social activities in later

life is associated with greater QoL (78%) of the older adults use social media platforms (first

Facebook, then WhatsApp, TikTok, and Twitter) and (49.8%) of them trust them. It also

indicated that (74.7%) of them believed that these platforms increased their acquaintances, while

(53.2%) considered them to have improved their social relations, (51.6%) of them considered

that social media platforms had a positive impact on their psychological condition.

The gratifications theory states that the audience chooses the medium and the contents

that the audience wants to pursue based on several complex and interrelated factors, including

cultural backgrounds, personality, lifestyle, age, gender, income, education, economic level.

Accordingly, the theory of uses and gratifications differed from previous theories in that it dealt

with the characteristics of the audience that is exposed to the media in terms of characteristics

and motives away from the argument of habituation and acceptance of what is presented to it.

There is a high usage of social media by older adults. Facebook came first, followed by

WhatsApp, YouTube, Twitter, Google Plus, then Instagram, while other sites came at low levels.
Research gaps

Motivational factors for using or not using social media need to be analyzed. Analysis of

another social media app. Exploring other potential mediators of the relationships among Internet

use, life satisfaction, and psychological well-being for a comprehensive understanding of the

effects of Internet use among older adults.

Scales

Ryff’s Measures of Psychological Well-Being.16 A total of seven items using a 6-point

Likert-type scale.a series of statements reflecting the six areas of psychological well-being:

autonomy, environmental mastery, personal growth, positive relations with others, purpose in

life, and self-acceptance

CASP-19 scale - Control, Autonomy, Self-realization, and Pleasure. The scale comprised 19

questions eliciting responses on a 4-point Likert scale, ranging from 0 (never), 1 (not very often),

2 (sometimes), to 3 (often).

The Social Media Use Scale (SMUS) - is a questionnaire used to measure individuals' social

media use. The SMUS was developed by Lin, Wang, and Chen (2016). The SMUS includes 22

items, divided into five dimensions: social interaction, entertainment, information seeking,

convenience, and social comparison.