The Effect of Electronic Device Usage on Social Isolation among Older Adults Living Alone: Focusing on the Mediating Effect of Social Activity Participation

Key Points

• This research aims to analyze how the use of digital devices affects social isolation among older adults living alone, and the mediating role of social activity participation.
• Analyzed data from the 2023 Elderly Survey involving 1,095 individuals aged 65 and above living alone.
• Utilized SPSS 25.0 and PROCESS Macro Model 4 for statistical analysis.
• Examined relationships between digital device usage, social activity participation, and social isolation.
• Digital device usage significantly reduces social isolation.
• Increased digital device usage boosts participation in social activities.
• Social activity participation also decreases social isolation, partially mediating the relationship between digital device usage and social isolation.
• Bootstrapping analysis confirms the statistical significance of the indirect effect.

Abstract