Social media use improves executive functions in middle-aged and older adults: A structural equation modeling analysis
Given the paucity of research on the cognitive implications of social media use in middle and late adulthood, we sought to understand the relations between middle-aged and older adults' social media use and their executive functions (EF)—a set of domain-general cognitive control processes—and t...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | text |
| Language: | English |
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Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University
2020
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/soss_research/3189 https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/context/soss_research/article/4446/viewcontent/Social_media_improves_executive_fns_older_adults_sv.pdf |
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| Institution: | Singapore Management University |
| Language: | English |
| Summary: | Given the paucity of research on the cognitive implications of social media use in middle and late adulthood, we sought to understand the relations between middle-aged and older adults' social media use and their executive functions (EF)—a set of domain-general cognitive control processes—and the underlying mechanism. By analyzing a nationally representative cohort ranging from ages 40s–70s from the MIDUS Refresher Survey and Cognitive Project, we tested a serial mediation model with perception of social support and sense of control (i.e., personal mastery and perceived constraints) as sequential mediators in a structural equation modeling analysis. We found that perceived social support and constraints fully and serially mediated the relation of middle-aged and older adults' social media use for interpersonal interactions with EF. Our study demonstrates that middle-aged and older adults’ social media use for social connection can be a useful medium that protects against age-related cognitive decline in EF. |
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