Activating and guiding the engagement of seniors with online social networking: experimental findings from the AGES 2.0 project
Open accessAbstract
Objective: Guided by theoretical and empirical work attesting to the health benefits of social connections, we tested whether Internet connectivity, and training in its use for social purposes, can support the well-being of older adults receiving care. Method: Participants ( N = 76) were randomly assigned to receive 3 months training versus care-as-usual. Cognitive and mental health were assessed before and after the intervention. Results: Results show significant cognitive improvements across time in the training, but not control, group. This effect was mediated through a combination of increased social activity, improved self-competence, and maintained personal identity strength. Indirect effects on mental health outcomes via these processes were also observed. Discussion: These findings suggest that Internet access and training can support the self and social connectedness of vulnerable older adults and contribute positively to well-being.
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The interventional study found that training older adults to use a customized online social platform reduced participants' anxiety indirectly through increased competence.
“However, the interventional study found that training older adults to use a customized online social platform reduced participants' anxiety indirectly through increased competence (Morton et al., 2018).”
From The relationship between social media use and psychosocial outcomes in older adults: A systematic review (2024) · cites this paper as Morton et al., 2018
Two interventional studies showed that training older adults to use online social platforms improved participants' life satisfaction/quality of life.
“two interventional studies showed that training older adults to use online social platforms improved participants' life satisfaction/quality of life (Morton et al., 2018;Woodward et al., 2010).”
From The relationship between social media use and psychosocial outcomes in older adults: A systematic review (2024) · cites this paper as Morton et al., 2018
Most interventional studies (n = 4) reported that social media-related interventions including video conferencing and training in using social media platforms were effective in reducing depressive symptoms.
“Similarly, most interventional studies (n = 4) reported that social media-related interventions including video conferencing and training in using social media platforms were effective in reducing depressive symptoms (Hwang et al., 2021;Morton et al., 2018;Tsai et al., 2010;Tsai & Tsai, 2011).”
From The relationship between social media use and psychosocial outcomes in older adults: A systematic review (2024) · cites this paper as Morton et al., 2018
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References 39 · Cited by 67
- Authors
- Morton, T. A., Wilson, N., Haslam, C., Birney, M., Kingston, R., & McCloskey, L.-G.
- Affiliations
- University of Exeter (GB)
- The University of Queensland (AU)
- Corresponding author
- Morton, Thomas A.
- Venue
- Journal of Aging and Health
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2016-08-16
- Volume
- 30
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 27-51
- ISSN
- 0898-2643 (ISSN-L)
- 1552-6887
- OpenAlex
- W2491010357
- Cited by
- 67
- References
- 39
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 15 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 1 · 2016: 2
- FWCI
- 7.45
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- Locations
- Journal of Aging and Health (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Open Research Exeter (University of Exeter) (acceptedVersion)
- Research at the University of Copenhagen (University of Copenhagen) (acceptedVersion, other-oa)
- ChesterRep (University of Chester) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nd)
- Figshare (submittedVersion)
- University of Birmingham Research Portal (University of Birmingham) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (VS/2012/0346)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Demography › Technology Use by Older Adults
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology › Aging and Gerontology Research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Aging, Health, and Disability
- Keywords
- older adults, online social networking, online training, social connectedness, cognitive function, mental health, self-competence, personal identity, well-being, care recipients
- MeSH terms
- Online Social Networking, Aged, Aging, Cognition, Computer User Training, Female, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Male, Mental Health, Self Concept, Outcome Assessment, Health Care, Internet
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