Work

Effects of psychological resilience on social media information-sharing behavior in older adults: mediating role of technology anxiety and perceived enjoyment

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Against the backdrop of the rapid development of information technology, accelerated population aging, and the prominent "digital divide" among older adults, the information-sharing behavior of older adults on social media has attracted significant attention. Understanding the mechanism behind their information-sharing on social media is crucial for bridging the digital divide and promoting healthy aging. Methods: This study combines Technology Acceptance Model and Uses and Gratification Theory to construct a theoretical model with psychological resilience as the core, and explores its influence mechanism with technology anxiety, social interaction, perceived enjoyment, and perceived ease of use on the information sharing behavior of older adults. A questionnaire survey was conducted among Chinese older adults aged 55 and above, from which a total of 297 valid responses were collected. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was then used to conduct an empirical analysis. Results: The results show that psychological resilience, social interaction, perceived enjoyment, and perceived ease of use significantly positively affect the information sharing behavior of older adults, while technology anxiety negatively inhibits information sharing and significantly reduces the perceived ease of use of social media of older adults. Psychological resilience directly influences information sharing behavior and indirectly promotes information sharing behavior by reducing technology anxiety, but it has no significant direct correlation with perceived enjoyment. Social interaction indirectly promotes information sharing through the mediation of perceived enjoyment. Discussion: This study not only provides a reference for understanding the information-sharing behavior of older adults, promoting their integration into the digital society, and facilitating the harmonious coexistence of digitalization and aging, but also offers deeper insights into how to support older adults in overcoming digital barriers and improving their quality of life through meaningful online interactions.

Source: Frontiers in Psychology

DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1595688

Authors: Jing An, Ziyue Xiang, Kexin Wan, Yujie Yang, Xuanyu Zhu, Jinlong An

Institutions: Soochow University, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Fourth People's Hospital of Shenzhen

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: $3,801