Connected but lonely? The role of social networking sites among older adults experiencing isolation and loneliness

Objectives
This study examines the extent to which communications via social networking sites (SNS) ameliorates the emotional distress associated with isolation and loneliness among older adults.

Method
We utilize the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) for survey years 2014, 2016, and 2018 (N = 8,466). The sample consists of adults (55+) who participated in the Psycho-Social module. Utilizing random-effects linear regression models, we test associations of isolation and loneliness on emotional distress outcomes, including depression, negative affect, and positive affect. Additionally, we assessed whether communications via SNS moderate these relationships.

Results
Loneliness, compared to isolation, is consistently associated with emotional distress among older adults. SNS attenuates mental and emotional distress among those who are objectively isolated while magnifying the negative impacts of loneliness. The associations between SNS communications and emotional distress are conditional on degrees of isolation and loneliness. In particular, greater SNS use is associated with higher negative affect among those who feel lonely but higher positive affect among those who are isolated.

Conclusion
SNS may offset social isolation among older adults, whereas heavy reliance on SNS when one feels lonely may amplify that internalization. Assessments of social technology would benefit from distinguishing isolation and loneliness conditions.