THE IMPLICATIONS OF DIGITAL SOCIAL INTERACTIONS FOR OLDER ADULTS' EXPERIENCES OF WELL-BEING IN DAILY LIFE. (8th November 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mejia, Shannon T; Turner, Shelbie; Hooker, Karen
• Is Part Of: Innovation in aging. Volume 3(2019)Supplement 1
• Page Start: S15
• Page End: S15
• Publication Date: 2019-11-08
• Subjects: Aging -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- Periodicals; 612.67
• DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igz038.053
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2399-5300

Abstract

Abstract: Digital communication technologies expand opportunities for social interactions and as a result have the potential to either amplify or dampen the coupling of social interactions with well-being in daily life. We use data from the 100-day Personal Understanding of Life and Social Experiences project (n = 99, age = 50 – 88) to examine variation in the sensitivity of older adults' daily reports of well-being to the quality of social interactions with their five closest social partners across digital (email/social media) and analogue (in person/by phone) interactions. Digital interactions were more common among less-close social partners. Multilevel random coefficient models showed days with more digital interactions than normal to be characterized by a) lower well-being and b) less sensitivity in well-being to the quality of social interactions with close social partners on that day. The implications of our findings are discussed within a life-span perspective of social relationships and well-being.