Intergenerational family online community and older adults' overall well-being

Tali Gazit, Sarit Nisim, Liat Ayalon

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the potential contribution of a membership in an online family community to older adults' overall well-being. Design/methodology/approach: A total of 427 respondents over the age of 64 participated in the study (M = 74.55, SD = 7.13), answering a survey. To test the contributing of belonging to family online communities (WhatsApp), three hierarchical regression analyses were conducted, with well-being, self-perceptions of aging and loneliness as outcome variables. Findings: Findings show that belonging to an intergenerational family online community was associated with higher levels of well-being, less loneliness and better self-perceptions of aging, even once demographic characteristics and using social media were controlled for. Social implications: This study demonstrates the important role that the family online community membership plays in older adults' lives. This has significant implications that may contribute to intergenerational emotional solidarity. Originality/value: The authors suggest that technology is not per se, but the intergenerational opportunities that technology facilitates that make a difference. Peer review: The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/OIR-06-2021-0332

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)221-237
Number of pages17
JournalOnline Information Review
Volume47
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 30 Mar 2023

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited.

Keywords

  • Family online community
  • Intergenerational
  • Loneliness
  • Older adults
  • Social media
  • Well-being

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