Impact of digital social media on the perception of loneliness and social isolation in older adults
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.5641.3573Keywords:
Social Isolation; Loneliness; Aged; Internet; Social Media; Review.Abstract
Objective: to synthesize knowledge about the use of social media
and the perception of loneliness and/or social isolation in older adults.
Method: integrative literature review with primary studies published
in full, in Portuguese, English or Spanish, between September 2014
and July 2020 in the databases: American Psychological Association
Database, Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature,
Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature databases,
Web of Science and PubMed. Results: 11 articles were included,
categorized based on the types of technologies: “the use of the
Internet”, encompassing social networking sites, the internet and
applications; “communication devices”, with the use of smartphones,
tablets and iPads and “types of communication” covering the use of
interpersonal means of communication in the digital age, such as
video calls and emails. There were positive results (63.6%) regarding
the use of social media to minimize the perception of loneliness and/
or social isolation in the older adults. Conclusion: the scientific
evidence shows that the use of digital social media can reduce the
perception of loneliness and/or isolation in older adults. Furthermore,
the internet can favor greater contact between the older adults and
family members and can serve as a source of support, provide a
greater sense of belonging in the community and reduce loneliness.
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