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Cited by 664Technology Use by Older AdultsHealth disparities and outcomesAging, Health, and Disability

Impact of internet use on loneliness and contact with others among older adults: cross-sectional analysis

Open access
Cotten, Shelia R, Anderson, William A, McCullough, Brandi M·2013·Journal of Medical Internet Research
DOI 10.2196/jmir.2306PMC PMC3636305
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Older adults are at increased risk of experiencing loneliness and depression, particularly as they move into different types of care communities. Information and communication technology (ICT) usage may help older adults to maintain contact with social ties. However, prior research is not consistent about whether ICT use increases or decreases isolation and loneliness among older adults. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine how Internet use affects perceived social isolation and loneliness of older adults in assisted and independent living communities. We also examined the perceptions of how Internet use affects communication and social interaction. METHODS: One wave of data from an ongoing study of ICT usage among older adults in assisted and independent living communities in Alabama was used. Regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between frequency of going online and isolation and loneliness (n=205) and perceptions of the effects of Internet use on communication and social interaction (n=60). RESULTS: After controlling for the number of friends and family, physical/emotional social limitations, age, and study arm, a 1-point increase in the frequency of going online was associated with a 0.147-point decrease in loneliness scores (P=.005). Going online was not associated with perceived social isolation (P=.14). Among the measures of perception of the social effects of the Internet, each 1-point increase in the frequency of going online was associated with an increase in agreement that using the Internet had: (1) made it easier to reach people (b=0.508, P<.001), (2) contributed to the ability to stay in touch (b=0.516, P<.001), (3) made it easier to meet new people (b=0.297, P=.01, (4) increased the quantity of communication with others (b=0.306, P=.01), (5) made the respondent feel less isolated (b=0.491, P<.001), (6) helped the respondent feel more connected to friends and family (b=0.392, P=.001), and (7) increased the quality of communication with others (b=0.289, P=.01). CONCLUSIONS: Using the Internet may be beneficial for decreasing loneliness and increasing social contact among older adults in assisted and independent living communities.

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  • Technology-based community interventions, including telephone, Internet, and iPad/smartphone applications, have shown promising results in reducing social isolation among older adults.

    “There is a growing focus on technology-based community interventions, including those offered by telephone, Internet, and iPad/smartphone applications, with findings demonstrating promising results in reducing social isolation among older adults (43–45).”

    From Telephone-based group mental health support for older adults in central Canada: pilot acceptability and effectiveness findings of The CONNECT Program (2025) · cites this paper as [43]

    The Abstract Results report that more frequent Internet use was associated with less loneliness, and respondents reported feeling less isolated. But Internet use was not associated with the study’s social-isolation measure (P=.14). This cross-sectional study of older adults in assisted and independent living communities does not demonstrate that telephone or iPad/smartphone interventions reduce social isolation. (LLM, conf=0.88)

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Research works printed but not linked: 3

  1. [3]Chen S Brown JW Mefford LC de La Roche A McLain AM Haun MW Persell DJ Elders' decisions to enter assisted living facilities Journal of Housing for the Elderly 2008 22 86 103
  2. [60]Cotten SR Anderson WA Berkowsky RW Yost EA Winstead V Can information and communication technology usage by older adults decrease stress, social isolation, and loneliness? Results from a randomized trial 2012 6 Proceedings of the 13th International Conference on Social Stress Research June 2012 Dublin, Ireland
  3. [66]Cotten SR Using ICTs to enhance quality of life among residents of independent living and assisted living communities 2010 Proceedings of the 63rd Annual Meeting of The Gerontological Society of America November 2010 New Orleans, LA

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Authors
Cotten, S. R., Anderson, W. A., & McCullough, B. M.
Affiliations
University of Alabama at Birmingham (US)
Corresponding author
Cotten, Shelia R
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Medical Internet Research
Publisher
JMIR Publications Inc.
Published
2013-02-28
Volume
15
Issue
2
Pages
e39
ISSN
1438-8871 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.2196/jmir.2306
PMC
PMC3636305
OpenAlex
W2106579638
Cited by
664
References
67
Citations by year
2026: 32 · 2025: 79 · 2024: 55 · 2023: 81 · 2022: 58 · 2021: 86 · 2020: 59 · 2019: 50 · 2018: 43 · 2017: 46 · 2016: 41 · 2015: 19 · 2014: 13 · 2013: 2
FWCI
67.58
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by
Locations
  • Journal of Medical Internet Research (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health
  • National Institute on Aging (R01AG030425)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Demography › Technology Use by Older Adults
  • Social Sciences › Health › Health disparities and outcomes
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Aging, Health, and Disability
Keywords
internet use, loneliness, social isolation, older adults, information and communication technologies, assisted living, independent living, social contact
MeSH terms
Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Alabama, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Loneliness, Male, Social Isolation, Internet, Assisted Living Facilities, Independent Living

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