Active and passive social media use are differentially related to depressive symptoms in older adults

Objectives Previous research on social media use (SMU) and mental health has focused on younger individuals. For example, in young adults active SMU (e.g. posting content) has been related to decreased depressive symptoms, whereas passive SMU (e.g. browsing content) has been related to increased depressive symptoms. These relationships have not yet been investigated in older adults, however, even though SMU and poor mental health are common. Methods We collected data from adults aged 65 years and older, and categorized SMU into active and passive dimensions with a principal component analysis. Next, we conducted t-tests and logistic regressions to assess whether older adults' SMU was associated with depressive symptoms. Results Our analysis revealed that active SMU was associated with increased odds for depressive symptoms, whereas passive SMU was associated with decreased odds for depressive symptoms. Conclusion Our results suggest that the relationships between active and passive SMU and depressive symptoms in older adults are different from previous literature focusing on younger individuals. We theorize that these findings may be due to older adults' engaging in fewer social comparisons overall, and hence experiencing fewer negative feelings while passively viewing others' social media posts.

Automated summary

This study examines the relationship between social media use and depressive symptoms in older adults. The results indicate that active social media use is associated with an increased risk of depressive symptoms, while passive social media use is associated with a decreased risk of depressive symptoms. These findings suggest that older adults may have different experiences with social media compared to younger individuals, possibly due to engaging in fewer social comparisons.