A Cross-Sectional Study on the Relationship Between Social Media Use and Frailty Among the Older People in Japan

Yuki Nakada and Yuna Seo ()
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Yuki Nakada: Department of Industrial and Engineering Systems, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, Noda 278-8510, Chiba, Japan
Yuna Seo: Department of Industrial and Engineering Systems, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, Noda 278-8510, Chiba, Japan

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 2, 1-14

Abstract: This study investigates the relationship between social media use and frailty in older adults, focusing on the influence of social media engagement and various frailty-related factors. A survey was conducted with 103 participants aged 65 and above, who completed a questionnaire on their social media usage, psychological well-being, dietary habits, physical activity, sleep patterns, and social interactions. Frailty was assessed using the Kihon Checklist, categorizing participants into non-frailty, pre-frailty, and frailty groups. The analysis was conducted using ordinal logistic regression to examine the relationship between social media usage and other frailty-related factors (e.g., psychological factors, sociality, diet, and exercise) with frailty status. The findings revealed that social media engagement was significantly associated with frailty status, with higher levels of engagement linked to reduced frailty. Specifically, participants who reported higher levels of social media interaction also reported better psychological well-being, increased social interaction, and greater engagement in physical and leisure activities. These results suggest that social media use may have a positive impact on frailty, potentially by enhancing social connectivity and promoting healthier lifestyle choices in older adults. Further research is needed to explore the mechanisms through which social media can mitigate frailty and promote healthy aging.

Keywords: frailty; social media use; older adults; social connectivity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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