The Moderating Role of Online Social Networks in the Association between Loneliness and Well-Being in Polish Older Adults – Preliminary Results

The relationship between feeling of loneliness and poor assessment of wellbeing and quality of life was confirmed in previous studies (e.g. Tobiasz-Adamczyk & Zawisza, 2017 and Nyqvist et al., 2021). Concurrently, results demonstrated that supportive relationships are important for reducing the negative impact of loneliness on youth well‐being. As offline social networks are weakening in older age due to losses of close relatives and friends, occupational inactivity as well as deteriorating in functional activity and mobility, the question is to what extent new communication technologies allow older people for the developing of new forms of social ties.

In this context, the aim of the study is to assess the moderating role of online social networks in the association between feeling of loneliness and well-being in Polish older adults.

The analysis is based on the cross- sectional study “Research on ageing in Poland - The role of psychosocial determinants in relation to health conditions in ageing process of Polish population (COURAGE - Poland -Comparison After Decade)”. Face-to face interviews were conducted in 2024 year with 2000 randomly selected people aged 50+ from among general Polish population. The structured questionnaire included the following tools: the 3-item UCLA Loneliness Scale, Life Satisfaction Index, positive and negative affect indices based on Day Reconstruction Method. Online social networks were assessed by developed measurement of various types of social media activities.

This research was funded in whole by National Science Centre, Poland [2022/45/B/NZ7/04030]