Abstract

This study investigated whether the relationship between SNS use purpose (relationship pursuit, information pursuit, entertainment pursuit) and successful aging is mediated by loneliness. The mediating model is examined using PROCESS Macro v3.5. The mediating model was examined for 328 domestic older adults aged 65-79 years(M=67.77, SD=2.95) using SNS. The results indicated that the mediating effects of loneliness were significant in the relationship between the three types of SNS use and successful aging but in different ways. In other words, it was found that SNS use for relationship pursuit and SNS use for information pursuit in older adults not only directly affects successful aging, but also indirectly affects successful aging by lowering loneliness. On the other hand, the indirect effect of loneliness was positive for SNS use in the pursuit of relationships and information but negative for entertainment. These findings suggest that, contrary to the other two types of SNS use, the use of SNS for entertainment reduces successful aging by increasing loneliness. This study revealed a mechanism by which the purpose of SNS use in older adults affects successful aging through loneliness, and confirmed that the relationship between these mechanisms may vary depending on the purpose of SNS use.