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Social Media Use and Associations with Psychological Distress Among Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Hege Ragnhildsløkken

    (Department of Old Age Psychiatry, Innlandet Hospital Trust, 2312 Ottestad, Norway)

  • Tore Bonsaksen

    (Department of Health and Nursing Science, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, 2418 Elverum, Norway
    Department of Health, VID Specialized University, 4024 Stavanger, Norway)

  • Eivind Aakhus

    (The Norwegian National Centre for Ageing and Health, Vestfold Hospital Trust, 3125 Tønsberg, Norway)

  • Isaac Kabelenga

    (Department of Social Work and Sociology, University of Zambia, Lusaka P.O. Box 32379, Zambia)

  • Gary Lamph

    (School of Nursing and Midwifery, Keele University, Staffordshire ST5 5BG, UK
    Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, Stafford ST16 3SR, UK)

  • Daicia Price

    (School of Social Work, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA)

  • Amy Østertun Geirdal

    (Department of Social Work, Child Welfare and Social Policy, Oslo Metropolitan University, 0130 Oslo, Norway)

Abstract
Social media may have the double potential to support and undermine mental health, and research is needed to investigate these relationships in age-specified populations. The purpose of this study was to investigate associations between the use of social media and psychological distress among older adults (60 years and above) both nine and 19 months after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. An online repeated cross-sectional survey was conducted in Australia, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Participants (9 months: n = 679; 19 months: n = 238) reported the extent of social media use, motives for using social media, and level of psychological distress using the 12-item version of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). The data were analysed with descriptive analyses, independent t -tests and multiple linear regression analyses. Time spent on social media was not associated with psychological distress. Higher psychological distress was associated with higher scores on using social media to ‘reduce loneliness’ at both measurement points. At nine months, higher psychological distress was associated with higher scores on using social media for ‘entertainment’, but the association was not statistically significant at 19 months. Psychological distress was associated with the motive to ‘maintain relationships’ at 19 months, but not at nine months. Guidance for older adults’ use of social media should emphasise how they can be used to promote communication and maintain existing relationships.

Suggested Citation

  • Hege Ragnhildsløkken & Tore Bonsaksen & Eivind Aakhus & Isaac Kabelenga & Gary Lamph & Daicia Price & Amy Østertun Geirdal, 2024. "Social Media Use and Associations with Psychological Distress Among Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-15, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:13:y:2024:i:12:p:634-:d:1529215
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