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ETD Abstract Container

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Social Media Use and Happiness Among Adults 45 Years and Older

Young, Meghan Alyssa
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1535459702390244

Abstract Details

2018, Master of Gerontological Studies, Miami University, Gerontology.
Older adults are the fastest growing group to adopt and use social media. Social media allows individuals to remain socially connected when face-to-face contact becomes difficult. Previous research shows happiness may spread through face-to-face social networks. Since older adults may experience changes in their social networks over time, examining whether happiness is also related to online networks is important to understand. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the use of multiple social media sites and happiness among n=870 adults age 45 years and older. Data from the 2016 wave of the General Social Survey was used to conduct cross-sectional binary logistic regression analyses. Fifty-six percent of participants used at least one social media site. Findings indicate the two predictor variables of interest (amount of time spent on the internet/web-enabled applications and number of social media sites used) had no significant relationship with happiness. Happiness was significantly related to number of children, marital status, total family income, and having a graduate degree. Future research in this area can develop new theories and explore how happiness is derived through a network by comparing an individual’s in-person and online network.
Katherine Abbott, PhD (Committee Chair)
J. Scott Brown, PhD (Committee Member)
Sara McLaughlin, PhD (Committee Member)
30 p.
Gerontology
aging; older adults; social media; internet use; social networks; happiness; subjective well-being

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Young, M. A. (2018). Social Media Use and Happiness Among Adults 45 Years and Older [Master's thesis, Miami University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1535459702390244

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Young, Meghan. Social Media Use and Happiness Among Adults 45 Years and Older. 2018. Miami University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1535459702390244.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Young, Meghan. "Social Media Use and Happiness Among Adults 45 Years and Older." Master's thesis, Miami University, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1535459702390244

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

miami1535459702390244
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© 2018, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Miami University and OhioLINK.