scholarly journals Impact of Social Media on Health-Related Outcomes Among Older Adults in Singapore: Qualitative Study

JMIR Aging ◽  
10.2196/23826 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. e23826
Author(s):  
Madeline Han ◽  
Xin Yi Tan ◽  
Rachael Lee ◽  
Jeong Kyu Lee ◽  
Rathi Mahendran
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Social Contexts ◽  
Social Needs ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Use Of Social Media ◽  
Interpretative Approach ◽  
Improve Health

Background The worldwide spread of digitalization has led to the harnessing of technology to improve health outcomes. Paying attention to older adults’ social needs via social media is one way to promote healthy aging. Although 56% of older adults are smartphone users, little is known about their use patterns of social media. Objective This exploratory study aims to determine the experiences of social media apps’ use among older adults in Singapore and understand their perceptions of its impact on health-related outcomes. Methods This study used a qualitative research design with an interpretative approach. Using maximum variation purposive sampling, normal aging older adults (N=16) who were aged between 60 and 80 years and experienced in the use of internet-enabled technology were recruited from an existing community study. Semistructured, in-depth interviews were conducted. Employing a thematic analysis, interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed for codes inductively. Results The following themes and subthemes were identified as key moderators of older adults’ experiences on social media apps: (1) personal attitudes: participants were encouraged to use social media due to the increased accessibility, which enabled the ease of contact, but perceptions that the quality of interactions was compromised and its associated risks reduced their use; and (2) social influences: the desire to bond with co-users and the availability of support increased use. In addition, use of social media apps was perceived to positively impact health through its ability to keep older adults cognitively engaged, improve health communication, and increase social connectedness. However, opinions remained mixed on older adults’ vulnerability to social media addiction. Conclusions Personal and social contexts determine older adults’ social media use. This study’s findings provide practical insights into how social media can be deployed to improve health-related outcomes in older adults.

scholarly journals Social Media and its Impact on Health-Related Outcomes Among Older Adults in Singapore: Qualitative Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madeline Han ◽  
Xin Yi Tan ◽  
Rachael Lee ◽  
Jeong Kyu Lee ◽  
Rathi Mahendran
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Social Contexts ◽  
Social Needs ◽  
Media Usage ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Interpretative Approach ◽  
Improve Health

BACKGROUND The world-wide spread of digitalization has led to the harnessing of technology to improve health outcomes. Attention to older adults social needs via social media is one way of promoting healthy aging. While 56% of older adults are smartphone users, little is known about their usage patterns of social media. OBJECTIVE This exploratory study aimed to (1) determine the social media experiences of older adults in Singapore, and (2) understand their perceptions of its impact on health-related outcomes. METHODS The study utilized a qualitative research design with an interpretative approach. Using maximum variation purposive sampling, normal aging older adults (N=16), aged between 60 to 80, and experienced in the use of internet-enabled technology were recruited from an existing community study. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted. Employing a thematic analysis, interviews were transcribed in verbatim, and analyzed for codes inductively. RESULTS The following themes and subthemes were identified as key moderators of older adults’ social media experiences: (1) Personal attitudes: participants were encouraged to use social media due to the increased accessibility which enabled the ease of contact, but perceptions that the quality of interactions was compromised and its associated risks reduced their usage; (2) Social influences: the desire to bond with co-users, and the availability of support increased usage. Additionally, social media usage was perceived to positively impact health through its abilities to keep older adults cognitively engaged, improve health communication, and increase social connectedness. However, opinions remained mixed on older adults’ vulnerability to social media addiction. CONCLUSIONS Personal and social contexts determine older adults’ social media usage. The study’s findings provide practical insights on how social media can be deployed to improve health-related outcomes in older adults.

scholarly journals Improving Attitudes to Volunteering Among Older Adults: A Randomized Trial Approach

2019 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 51-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle I. Jongenelis ◽  
Ben Jackson ◽  
Jeni Warburton ◽  
Robert U. Newton ◽  
Simone Pettigrew
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Social Needs ◽  
Volunteer Work ◽  
Group Design ◽  
Perceptions And Attitudes ◽  
Parallel Group Design ◽  
Parallel Group ◽  
Negative Perceptions

Promoting engagement in formal volunteering represents a potential means of facilitating healthy aging. Given reluctance to participate in volunteering has been partially attributed to negative perceptions of various aspects of this activity, this study assessed whether trialing volunteering can improve perceptions among older people. Using a parallel-group design, Australians aged 60+ years ( n = 445) were randomly assigned to one of two conditions, one in which they were encouraged to trial volunteering and one in which they were asked to continue their usual activities. Perceptions and attitudes among those in the volunteering condition became significantly more favorable over 6 months relative to those in the control condition, with this change predicted by several aspects of the volunteering experience (e.g., acquisition of skills, increased social connectedness). Providing access to roles that cater to the learning and social needs of older adults appears to be important for improving attitudes toward engaging in volunteer work.

scholarly journals How Social Are Social Media? A Review of Online Social Behaviour and Connectedness

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tracii Ryan ◽  
Kelly A. Allen ◽  
DeLeon L. Gray ◽  
Dennis M. McInerney
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Social Behaviour ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Media Use ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Social Media Use ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Use Of Social Media ◽  
Key Aspects

The use of social media is rapidly increasing, and one of the major discussions of the 21st century revolves around how the use of these applications will impact on the social relationships of users. To contribute to this discussion, we present a brief narrative review highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of social media use on three key aspects of social connectedness: social capital, sense of community, and loneliness. The results indicate that using social media can increase social capital, lead to the formation of friendships and communities, and reduce loneliness. However, some social media site users may experience weakening friendships, online ostracism, and heightened loneliness. Therefore, we argue that the use of social media has contradictory effects on social connectedness. Moreover, the direction of these outcomes is contingent upon who is using the site and how they are using it. Based on these arguments, possible directions for future research are discussed. It is recommended that discourse be continued relating to the association between online social behaviour and connectedness, as this will enable researchers to establish whether the positive outcomes of social media use outweigh the negative.

scholarly journals Bridging the digital divide: Older adults’ engagement with online cinema heritage

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 797-811
Author(s):  
Silvia Dibeltulo ◽  
Sarah Culhane ◽  
Daniela Treveri Gennari
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Digital Divide ◽  
Digital Platforms ◽  
Film Exhibition ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Digital World ◽  
Digital Environments ◽  
Use Of Social Media

Abstract Is there a way to ensure older adults can bridge the digital divide and engage with online cultural heritage? How can cinema-going memories encourage cross-generational engagement? This article proposes to address these issues by using the Italian Cinema Audiences research project as a case study, and specifically cinema-going memories as intangible cultural heritage (Ercole et al., 2016, Cinema heritage in Europe: preserving and sharing culture by engaging with film exhibition and audiences. Editorial. Alphaville: Journal of Film and Screen Media, 11(Summer): 1–12. Web. ISSN: 2009-4078). It aims to tackle the difficulty of engaging the older generation with the digital world, by proposing and testing new ways to resolve it. Through a mixed-methods ethnographic approach, this article investigates different strategies: the use of social media platforms; a cross-generational activity involving Historypin, a digital, user-generated archive of crowdsourced historical material; an online dedicated archive built in collaboration with the older adults involved in the project. These different solutions aim not only at increasing digital engagement among older adults, but also at furthering younger generations’ involvement in shared cultural heritage in an online context. By focusing on the memories of cinema-going in 1950s Italy, the article explores the implications of the advantages and disadvantages of these different approaches. It also tests Anja K. Leist’s research findings (2013, Social media use of older adults: a mini-review. Gerontology, 59(4): 378–84) on the key role of moderators (the younger generation) to help novice users (the older generation) in the ‘continuous engagement’ in digital environments. We conclude that in order to bridge the digital divide two components are necessary simultaneously: the creation of digital platforms in which the older generations are both curators and users, and the support of and interaction with younger generations.

scholarly journals Consumer perceptions of using social media for health purposes: Benefits and drawbacks

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 1661-1674 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arcelio Benetoli ◽  
Timothy F Chen ◽  
Parisa Aslani
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Information Overload ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Use Of Social Media

Consumers are increasingly using social media to interact with other consumers about health conditions and treatment options. This study aimed to investigate the advantages and disadvantages of using social media for health-related purposes from the consumers’ perspectives. Five focus groups with 36 Australian adults with a chronic condition and on medication were conducted, audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and thematically analysed. Consumers reported that social media was very convenient, for accessing health-related information and for peer engagement; user-friendly; improved their health knowledge; empowered them; and provided social and emotional support. The disadvantages included information overload, wasting time; negative feelings; doubts about online information credibility; and issues related to online interactions. Despite some disadvantages, health-related use of social media led consumers to feel supported, knowledgeable, and empowered. Consumers’ motivation to keep accessing social media for health-related purposes opens up avenues for the delivery of services via social media.

scholarly journals Determinants of Infodemics During Disease Outbreaks: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javier Alvarez-Galvez ◽  
Victor Suarez-Lledo ◽  
Antonio Rojas-Garcia
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Healthy Habits ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
Use Of Social Media

Background: The widespread use of social media represents an unprecedented opportunity for health promotion. We have more information and evidence-based health related knowledge, for instance about healthy habits or possible risk behaviors. However, these tools also carry some disadvantages since they also open the door to new social and health risks, in particular during health emergencies. This systematic review aims to study the determinants of infodemics during disease outbreaks, drawing on both quantitative and qualitative methods.Methods: We searched research articles in PubMed, Scopus, Medline, Embase, CINAHL, Sociological abstracts, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. Additional research works were included by searching bibliographies of electronically retrieved review articles.Results: Finally, 42 studies were included in the review. Five determinants of infodemics were identified: (1) information sources; (2) online communities' structure and consensus; (3) communication channels (i.e., mass media, social media, forums, and websites); (4) messages content (i.e., quality of information, sensationalism, etc.,); and (5) context (e.g., social consensus, health emergencies, public opinion, etc.). Studied selected in this systematic review identified different measures to combat misinformation during outbreaks.Conclusion: The clarity of the health promotion messages has been proven essential to prevent the spread of a particular disease and to avoid potential risks, but it is also fundamental to understand the network structure of social media platforms and the emergency context where misinformation might dynamically evolve. Therefore, in order to prevent future infodemics, special attention will need to be paid both to increase the visibility of evidence-based knowledge generated by health organizations and academia, and to detect the possible sources of mis/disinformation.

scholarly journals Use of Social Media for Seeking Health Related Information – An Exploratory Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 267-271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Navya Bhaskaran ◽  
Manish Kumar ◽  
Manthan Dilipkumar Janodia
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Use Of Social Media

scholarly journals Tweeting, friending, reporting: Social media use among journalism academics, students and graduates in the Asia-Pacific

2015 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 173
Author(s):  
Nasya Bahfen ◽  
Alexandra Wake
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Asia Pacific ◽  
Media Industry ◽  
Global Media ◽  
Career Opportunities ◽  
The Social ◽  
Commerce Law ◽  
Use Of Social Media

This reflective article describes and analyses the use of Facebook and Twitter over a five-year timeframe by two journalism academics in Australia, whose industry and research expertise are in the Asia-Pacific. The use of social media has made possible for journalism educators an active electronic space in which to conduct discourse on development, publication, networking and career opportunities with students and alumni. This discourse and the educators, students or alumni who engage in it reflect the nature of the global media industry as inherently network-based (in contrast to employment approaches found in other industries such as graduate programmes in commerce, law or engineering). Because it operates using electronic communication, such discourse also reflects the industry which journalism graduates seek to enter as not being geographically confined to one city or state within Australia—instead, reflecting a rapid rate of movement between cities and states, or between countries, or between urban and rural locations. Using active participant observation, the researchers argue that social media can be used to develop and retain links with their students and alumni, by making use of the social connectedness that is coming to characterise communication. The researchers were early adopters of Facebook and Twitter communication with students. The article argues that social media has been beneficial in the conduct of these activities while exploring the use of social networking in relation to the politics of ‘friending’ or ‘following’ and ‘being followed’ by students.

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