Social Media Gerontology: Understanding Social Media Usage among a Unique and Expanding Community of Users

The percentage of older adults using social media has dramatically increased in recent years, yet comparatively little research has been done to understand this unique community of users. In this paper, we first compare characteristics of Facebook users to non-users among adults over the age of 50. Second, we explore several characteristics of active Facebook users among older adults. Third, we build on previous research to investigate the differential impact of traditional versus social media-mediated communication activities among older adults, and assess its relation-ship with social satisfaction. Finally, we examine the specific relationship between older adults' Facebook communication habits and their attitudes regarding social satisfaction, loneliness and social isolation. Controlling for factors such as age, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status (education and income), and marital status, we find that directed communications (as opposed to broadcast communications and passive consumption of content) is significantly correlated with feelings of social satisfaction among this distinct population.

[1]  Jacob Cohen.  Statistical Power Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences , 1969, The SAGE Encyclopedia of Research Design.

[2]  Robert E. Kraut,et al.  Social capital on facebook: differentiating uses and users , 2011, CHI.

[3]  E. Rogers,et al.  Diffusion of Innovations , 1964 .

[4]  Michael Kirby,et al.  Loneliness, social support networks, mood and wellbeing in community‐dwelling elderly , 2009, International journal of geriatric psychiatry.

[5]  E. Laumann,et al.  The Social Connectedness of Older Adults: A National Profile , 2008, American sociological review.

[6]  Aimee Valentine,et al.  Uses and Gratifications of Facebook Members 35 Years and Older , 2011 .

[7]  Cliff Lampe,et al.  The Benefits of Facebook "Friends: " Social Capital and College Students' Use of Online Social Network Sites , 2007, J. Comput. Mediat. Commun..

[8]  Adam N. Joinson,et al.  Looking at, looking up or keeping up with people?: motives and use of facebook , 2008, CHI.

[9]  Eric Gilbert,et al.  Predicting tie strength with social media , 2009, CHI.

[10]  W. Kuo,et al.  Social networking, hardiness and immigrant's mental health. , 1986, Journal of health and social behavior.

[11]  S. Shyam Sundar,et al.  Retirees on Facebook: can online social networking enhance their health and wellness? , 2011, CHI Extended Abstracts.

[12]  D. Cella,et al.  Measuring participation: the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System experience. , 2010, Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation.

[13]  Carrie A. Werner,et al.  The Older Population: 2010 , 2010 .

[14]  Ian J. Deary,et al.  Social Support and Successful Aging: Investigating the Relationships Between Lifetime Cognitive Change and Life Satisfaction , 2007 .

[15]  W. B. Fain,et al.  Examining social media use among older adults , 2013, HT.

[16]  B. Winblad,et al.  Pattern of participation in leisure activities among older people in relation to their health conditions and contextual factors: a survey in a Swedish urban area , 2009, Ageing and Society.

[17]  G. Damiani,et al.  Social relationships and HRQL: A cross-sectional survey among older Italian adults , 2008, BMC public health.

[18]  Robert J. McDermott,et al.  Internet Use and Social Networking Among Middle Aged and Older Adults , 2010 .

[19]  P. Lachenbruch.  Statistical Power Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences (2nd ed.) , 1989 .