The Effect of Social Media Use on Depressive Symptoms in Older Adults with Self-Reported Hearing Impairment: An Empirical Study

Abstract

Older people with hearing impairment are more likely to develop depressive symptoms due to physical disability and loss of social communication. This study investigated the effects of social media on social relations, subjective aging, and depressive symptoms in these older adults based on the stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) framework. It provides new empirical evidence to support improving the mental health and rebuilding the social relations of older people. A formal questionnaire was designed using the Wenjuanxing platform and distributed online through WeChat; 643 valid questionnaires were received from older people with self-reported hearing impairments, and SmartPLS 3.28 was used to analyze the data. The results show that (1) social media significantly impacts the social relations of older people with hearing impairment (social networks, β = 0.132, T = 3.444; social support, β = 0.129, T = 2.95; social isolation, β = 0.107, T = 2.505). (2) For these older people, social isolation has the biggest impact on their psychosocial loss (β = 0.456, T = 10.458), followed by the impact of social support (β = 0.103, T = 2.014); a hypothesis about social network size was not confirmed (β = 0.007, T = 0.182). Both social media (β = 0.096, T = 2.249) and social support (β = 0.174, T = 4.434) significantly affect the self-efficacy of hearing-impaired older people. (3) Both subjective aging (psychosocial loss, β = 0.260, T = 6.036; self-efficacy, β = 0.106, T = 3.15) and social isolation (β = 0.268, T = 6.307) significantly affect depressive symptoms in older people with hearing impairment. This study expands the theories of social media aging cognition, social support, and social networks and can provide practical contributions to the social media use and mental health of special persons 60 years and older.

The impact of hearing loss on cognitive impairment: The mediating role of depressive symptoms and the moderating role of social relationships

“…The main-effect model contends that social connections are advantageous regardless of one’s level of stress ( 60 ). For example, an empirical study based on the stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) framework showed that social media use promotes strong social relationships among hearing-impaired older adults, as well as improving aging cognition and depressive symptoms ( 61 ).…”

The effects of online media use on the mental health of Chinese older adults: a multiple indicators multiple causes (MIMIC) model

“…Firstly, platforms like TikTok and Kwai facilitate access to external information and entertainment through short videos. Secondly, according to the social causation theory [30], older individuals are inclined to use social media to garner social capital from robust o ine relationships, thereby mitigating serious mental health issues [31]. Thirdly, these platforms enhance the social structure for older adults, enabling communication with a wider network [32], and providing an anonymous space for safe emotional expression and increased social participation through bullet chatting [33].…”

Social Media Use in Hearing Loss, Tinnitus, and Vestibular Disorders: A Systematic Review

“…Seven studies were excluded either as the study outcomes were not relevant to the scope of this review (Ma et al, 2021;van Wier et al, 2021;Wong et al, 2016;Giordano et al, 2021;Oh et al, 2022) or the non-peer-reviewed publications (Choudhury & Renken, 2018;O'Brien et al, 2019). Thus, a total of 19 studies were included in the present systematic review.…”