Author(s): Sousa, Liliana ; Fernandes, Jéssica ; Sá-Couto, Pedro ; Tavares, João
Date: 2024
Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10773/46146
Origin: RIA - Repositório Institucional da Universidade de Aveiro
Subject(s): Ageing; Companion animals; Human–animal interaction; Healthy ageing; Ageing in place; Social media
Purpose – Companion animals and social media are two important factors of social interaction and wellbeing among the older population. This study aims to compare social media use and/or having companion animals with respect to sociodemographic variables in conjunction with loneliness, social isolation, depression, satisfaction with life and satisfaction with social support. Design/methodology/approach – This cross-sectional study involves a sample of 250 older communitydwelling adults. The questionnaire comprised sociodemographic, companion animals and social media questions and scales to assess social isolation, loneliness, satisfaction with life and social support and depression. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings – Four groups emerged: ‘‘companion animal/s, no social media’’ (37.6%); ‘‘none’’ (33.6%); ‘‘social media and companion animal/s’’ (14.4%); and ‘‘social media, no companion animal/s’’ (14.4%). Social media users (with or without companion animals) are the youngest and with higher levels of education; caregivers of companion animals (no social media use) are in-between in terms of age and level of education; and those without companion animals and no social media users are the oldest and with less formal education. Originality/value – This research examines and compares two key influencers of older adults’ well-being and social interaction (social media and companion animals), that have been researched mostly separately. Findings underlined the cohort effect in the use of social media, suggesting that future older adult cohorts will use more social media whether they have or do not have companion animals.
