Effects of Social Media Self-Efficacy on Informational Use, Loneliness, and Self-Esteem of Older Adults

Social media is convenient for older adults to obtain and share information (i.e., informational use). However, a major barrier to using social media for older adults is their relatively low social media self-efficacy. The effects of this on informational use and mental well-being have not been well studied. Therefore, this study surveyed 276 older Chinese adults aged 60-90 and constructed a structural equation model. We found that higher social media self-efficacy was strongly and directly associated with more informational use, less loneliness, and higher self-esteem. It also positively affected happiness, mediated by loneliness and self-esteem. Informational use decreased loneliness but did not significantly affect self-esteem. We explained these results by the moderation effects of age and social media self-efficacy. This study confirmed the urgency of increasing older adults' social media self-efficacy for their mental well-being and successful aging. We also outlined design implications for increasing social media self-efficacy.