Social Media Integration, Social Support, and Depression Among Older Adults.

PURPOSE: Understanding how social media use (SMU) embedded in daily routines influences mental health in older adulthood is crucial. We explored whether integration-based SMU relates to depressive symptoms and whether social support mediates that link, considering online network size.

METHOD: A cross-sectional survey of 371 community-dwelling adults aged ≥55 years measured SMU integration, social support, depressive symptoms, demographics, health, and network size. Mediation analysis with bias-corrected bootstrapping assessed direct and indirect paths.

RESULTS

Greater SMU integration corresponded with slightly higher depressive scores. Higher social support predicted lower symptoms but did not explain the SMU-depression association. Participants with medium-sized networks reported the strongest support; larger networks offered no additional benefit.

CONCLUSION

Deeply embedding social media in daily routines may modestly intensify depressive feelings, whereas maintaining a moderate circle of online ties seems most supportive. Interventions should foster balanced engagement and manageable networks among older adult users.