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Improving older people's life satisfaction via social networking site use: Evidence from China
Author(s) -
Zhou Junjie
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
australasian journal on ageing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.63
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 1741-6612
pISSN - 1440-6381
DOI - 10.1111/ajag.12499
Subject(s) - loneliness , life satisfaction , feeling , china , psychology , older people , social support , gerontology , social psychology , medicine , political science , law
Objective This study aimed to examine the pathways by which social networking sites ( SNS s) can improve older people's life satisfaction. Methods We conducted an online survey in China that lasted eight weeks. Respondents were required to report their demographic characteristics and feelings regarding SNS use. Data were analysed using SPSS 20 and Amos 21. Results We collected 596 valid samples. The empirical results show that SNS use improves older people's life satisfaction by reducing their loneliness and improving their self‐efficacy. Social support alleviates the negative effect of loneliness and enhances the positive effect of self‐efficacy on life satisfaction. Sex differences and education differences were significant. Men and less educated people had higher levels of life satisfaction. Conclusion Policymakers should offer support to SNS s targeting older people and encourage them to provide more useful services. SNS operators should encourage social support among older users and pay attention to sex differences and education differences.