Work

Well-Being Factors That Relate to Facebook-Using Older Adults’ Perceived Social Support on Facebook

Year: 2021

Type: conference-abstract

Abstract: The majority of literature on Facebook use and well-being focuses on younger demographics. The number older adults using Facebook continues to increase. Facebook use by older adults has been found to increase well-being and decrease feelings of depression. This study investigates the effect that perceived social support on Facebook may have on loneliness, depression, social support (offline), and fear of missing out (FOMO) for older adult Facebook users. Older adults aged 65 and older in the U.S. completed a Qualtrics survey (N=798). Participants were, on average, 74 years old. Perceived social support on Facebook had a positive association with social support, depression, and FOMO. The results suggest that among Facebook using older adults, higher levels of perceived social support on Facebook were associated with higher levels of social support, feelings of depression, and FOMO. Future research should investigate the possibility that depression could be driving perceived social support on Facebook.

Source: Innovation in Aging

DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igab046.1168

Authors: Amy Schuster, Travis Kadylak, Shelia Cotten

Institutions: Clemson University, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Language: English

Topic: Technology Use by Older Adults

Subfield: Demography

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,493