Associations of depressive symptoms and perceived social support with addictive use of social media among elderly people in Turkey

Abstract

Background The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of addictive use of social media (AUSM) with depressive symptoms, perceived social support and demographic variables among people aged 65 years and older. Methods People aged 65 years and older who use social media constituted the study sample. The data were obtained from social networking sites via Google survey link. Bergen social media addiction scale (BSMAS) for determining AUSM, Multidimensional Scale of Social Support for determining social support, Geriatric Depression Scale to identify depressive symptoms and sociodemographic data form were administered to the participants. Results The mean age of the sample was 68.86 ± 2.0 years. AUSM showed significant differences depending on gender, marital status, economic status, educational level, settlement, occupation, and time spent in social media (P = 0.00). AUSM had correlations with both sub‐dimensions of perceived social support and depressive symptoms (P < 0.01). In the regression analysis, it was found that the depressive symptoms, social support from family (P = 0.00) and from a significant other (P = 0.001) had significant effects on AUSM. Conclusions When evaluating elderly individuals with depressive symptoms, it is important to evaluate these individuals in terms of social media addiction. Interventions to improve social support systems, especially for older people with little perceived social support can help prevent the development of AUSM.

The impact of interaction with children on internet addiction in older adults: A moderated mediation model

“…So, more attention should be paid to the older adults’ Internet addiction, as the old are prone to use the internet excessively because of their lack of social support and physical activity and experience high loneliness when they are addicted to the internet ( Meshi et al, 2020 ). Although existing research findings have showed that social support and loneliness are strong predictors of Internet addiction ( Bozoglan et al, 2013 ; Wu et al, 2016 ; Özbek and Karaş, 2022 ), it is an intriguing question whether the emotional support of family (e.g., interaction with children) has a unique effect on Internet addiction among the old, or whether this association will be mediate by loneliness. Besides, results from the role of life satisfaction in the prevention of loneliness has revealed that life satisfaction is devoted to reducing feelings of loneliness ( Andrew and Meeks, 2018 ) and life satisfaction can help explain why some are more prone to Internet addiction while others are less ( Lachmann et al, 2018 ).…”

“…To eliminate potential confounding effects, referring to the study by Meshi et al (2020) and Özbek and Karaş (2022) , we took demographic information of the employees, including age, gender, education level, living with children, and estimated daily time on internet, as control variables. Meanwhile, we also controlled for number of children and taking care of grandchildren.…”

“…Only little research paid attention to the factors that influence Internet addiction among the elderly. For example, depressive symptoms, social support from family and from a significant other had significant effects on the older adults’ addictive use of social media ( Özbek and Karaş, 2022 ). According to social support theory, the psychological support and material resources provided by social networks to individuals can help them cope effectively with the stressful challenges in their lives ( Cohen, 2004 ).…”

“…Elderly who enjoyed a positive intergenerational relationship with their children would experience adequate family social support ( Li et al, 2019 ). Although some studies have focused on the relationship between family support and Internet addiction in older adults ( Özbek and Karaş, 2022 ). Nevertheless, they did not focus on the important impact of emotional support from family on Internet addiction in older adults.…”

“…No attention was paid to the relationships and mechanisms between interaction with children, loneliness, and Internet addiction of the old. Besides, previous studies on the antecedents of Internet addiction in older adults have focused more on which factors are associated with Internet addiction in older adults but neglected the role boundaries and applicable conditions of their relationship ( Meshi et al, 2020 ; Rosell and Vergés, 2020 ; Özbek and Karaş, 2022 ). Therefore, we aimed to investigate what factors moderate the role of factors influencing Internet addiction in older adults.…”