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The relationship between social media use and mattering for U.S. older adults.

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Title: The relationship between social media use and mattering for U.S. older adults.
Authors: Schuster, Amy M. (AUTHOR), Cooper, Kalvry (AUTHOR), Cotten, Shelia R. (AUTHOR)
Source: Educational Gerontology. Apr2026, Vol. 52 Issue 4, p336-349. 14p.
Subjects: Social media, Psychological resilience, Mental health, Income, Statistical sampling, Questionnaires, Sex distribution, Descriptive statistics, Age distribution, Marital status, Data analysis software, Self-perception, Regression analysis, Old age
Geographic Terms: United States
Abstract: Research on mattering for older adults highlights the significance of social networks for overall wellness, where a lack of social support is associated with a decreased sense of mattering. As older adults experience life transitions like retirement or moving, maintaining social connections may become challenging. Social media use (SMU), can be used by older adults to maintain or expand social connections regardless of location. Prior research examined older adults' SMU and perceptions of mattering but did not account for different types of SMU or dimensions of mattering. Utilizing data with U.S. older adults aged 65 and older (N = 826), SMU was disaggregated into active and passive use with a principal components analysis. Ordinary least squares regression was used to examine associations between dimensions of mattering and types of SMU, controlling for covariates. Active SMU had a positive association with reliance (b = 0.07, SE = 0.02, p =.002). Passive SMU was positively associated with importance (b = 0.14, SE = 0.02, p <.001), reliance (b = 0.14, SE = 0.02, p <.001), and awareness (b = 0.12, SE = 0.02, p <.001). Researchers should consider the nuanced relationship between SMU and mattering as they develop interventions focused on enhancing the lives of older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Educational Gerontology is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
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  Data: The relationship between social media use and mattering for U.S. older adults.
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  Data: &lt;searchLink fieldCode=&quot;JN&quot; term=&quot;%22Educational+Gerontology%22&quot;&gt;Educational Gerontology&lt;/searchLink&gt;. Apr2026, Vol. 52 Issue 4, p336-349. 14p.
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  Data: Research on mattering for older adults highlights the significance of social networks for overall wellness, where a lack of social support is associated with a decreased sense of mattering. As older adults experience life transitions like retirement or moving, maintaining social connections may become challenging. Social media use (SMU), can be used by older adults to maintain or expand social connections regardless of location. Prior research examined older adults&#39; SMU and perceptions of mattering but did not account for different types of SMU or dimensions of mattering. Utilizing data with U.S. older adults aged 65 and older (N = 826), SMU was disaggregated into active and passive use with a principal components analysis. Ordinary least squares regression was used to examine associations between dimensions of mattering and types of SMU, controlling for covariates. Active SMU had a positive association with reliance (b = 0.07, SE = 0.02, p =.002). Passive SMU was positively associated with importance (b = 0.14, SE = 0.02, p &lt;.001), reliance (b = 0.14, SE = 0.02, p &lt;.001), and awareness (b = 0.12, SE = 0.02, p &lt;.001). Researchers should consider the nuanced relationship between SMU and mattering as they develop interventions focused on enhancing the lives of older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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  Data: &lt;i&gt;Copyright of Educational Gerontology is the property of Taylor &amp; Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder&#39;s express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.&lt;/i&gt; (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=pbh&AN=192657102
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1080/03601277.2025.2498954
    Languages:
      – Code: eng
        Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 14
        StartPage: 336
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Social media
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Psychological resilience
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Mental health
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Income
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Statistical sampling
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Questionnaires
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Sex distribution
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Descriptive statistics
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Age distribution
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Marital status
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Data analysis software
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Self-perception
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Regression analysis
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Old age
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: United States
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: The relationship between social media use and mattering for U.S. older adults.
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          Name:
            NameFull: Schuster, Amy M.
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            NameFull: Cooper, Kalvry
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            NameFull: Cotten, Shelia R.
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              M: 04
              Text: Apr2026
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
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              Value: 52
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