Investigating what motivates elderly users’ participation in social media-based communities

Abstract

As population aging accelerates globally, older adults are increasingly active in social media-based communities, which provide them opportunities for social interaction, emotional support, and information exchange. However, existing academic research remains fragmented and lacks a comprehensive understanding of the elderly users’ motivations to participate in these communities. To address these gaps, this study adopts a mixed-methods research design, including a systematic literature review, qualitative interviews, and a quantitative survey.
First, a systematic literature review synthesized 69 empirical studies published between 2000 and 2023, identifying major themes including emotional well-being, technology acceptance, social inclusion, psychological theories, and responses to global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Next, qualitative interviews were carried out with 32 elderly WeChat users (aged 60 and above) to deeply explore their motivations for participating in these online communities, highlighting practical (e.g., information exchange), social (e.g., social enhancement), and emotional needs (e.g., social support). Building on these insights, a quantitative survey with 596 respondents from two age groups (elderly users (N=288) and younger users (N=308)) was conducted and analyzed using PLS-SEM. Results reveal motivational differences between elderly and younger users, with older adults prioritizing emotional and social interactions, whereas younger users focus more on practical rewards and informational benefits.
Theoretically, the findings enhance the understanding of elderly participation in social media-based communities, offering valuable insights into the factors that drive their participation. Practically, the findings guide the development of inclusive social media platforms tailored to the unique needs of older adults, fostering their digital participation and social integration. By enhancing accessibility and meaningful interactions, such platforms can contribute to improved well-being, reduced loneliness, and a more meaningful later life for aging populations.

Date of Award	15 Nov 2025
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Nottingham
Supervisor	David Phang (Supervisor) & Jie YU (Supervisor)