The Relationship Between WeChat Use by Chinese Urban Older Adults Living Alone and Their Subjective Well-Being: The Mediation Role of Intergenerational Support and Social Activity

Xuyang Zhang

36 citations0/0 files storedPsychology Research and Behavior Management

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Technology Use by Older Adults Aging, Elder Care, and Social Issues Aging and Gerontology Research

Abstract

Purpose: WeChat is China’ biggest social media platform. In addition to instant messaging, it has a great many useful functions that can help Chinese citizens adapt to an increasingly digitized society. This study aimed to examine the effect of WeChat use on the subjective well-being (SWB) of Chinese older adults living alone, and how the effect could occur. Participants and Methods: A total of 415 Chinese older adults living alone participated in the survey. Participants filled out questionnaires (scales) measuring their SWB, proficiency in WeChat use, social activity levels and self-esteem respectively. Mean scores of SWB were used to determine the difference in SWB between the users and non-users, and correlation test was performed to find out the association between proficiency in WeChat use and SWB among the users. Results: The mean score of WeChat users was 34.68 (SD = 7.301), significantly higher than that of the non-users, which was 32.73 (SD = 7.168) ( t = 2.741, p = 0.006). Among the users, the more proficient in WeChat use one was, the higher their SWB score ( r = 0.458, p < 0.01). The results combined to demonstrate that WeChat use has a positive effect on the SWB of Chinese older adults living alone. The findings also showed that the increase in SWB was obtained through the mediation of intergenerational support and social activities. Conclusion: This study suggests that WeChat use by Chinese older adults living alone could increase their intergenerational support and social activities; the increased intergenerational support and social activities then enhance the SWB of Chinese older adults living alone. Keywords: WeChat, older adults, subjective well-being, intergenerational support, social activity, self-esteem

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References

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2022User Interface (UI) Design and User Experience Questionnaire (UEQ) Evaluation of a To-Do List Mobile Application to Support Day-To-Day Life of Older Adults 2023Association between WeChat use and mental health among middle-aged and older adults: a secondary data analysis of the 2020 China Family Panel Studies database 2024Social participation and subjective well-being among older adults in China: the mediation effect of media use*2023

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