Communication-Related Factors Influencing Social Relationships, Psychological Well-Being, and Life Satisfaction among Older Social Media Users in Surat Thani Province
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This study examines how communication-related factors affect social relationships, psychological well-being, and life satisfaction among older social media users in Surat Thani Province. Four communication-related factors were integrated: family communication and communication outside the family (reflecting real-life social communication), and social media addiction and social media literacy (indicating quality of social media use). The empirical data were collected from 1,063 older adults aged 60 and above. 947 social media users were included for a structural equation modeling analysis. Results revealed that family communication was positively associated with social relationships and life satisfaction, as well as an indirect association with psychological well-being. Communication outside the family showed a positive direct association with social relationships and psychological well-being, and an indirect association with life satisfaction. Social media addiction was negatively associated with life satisfaction, while social media literacy showed positive direct associations with both psychological well-being and life satisfaction. The model demonstrated a good fit with empirical data (χ²/df = 1.903, CFI = 0.977, TLI = 0.973, RMSEA = 0.031, SRMR = 0.034).
This study suggests that communication should be understood as an integrated system of offline and online interactions rather than as isolated media use when explaining older adults' quality of life. By considering four communication-related factors within a unified framework, the study offers insights that may guide communities, policymakers, families, and caretakers in developing an intergenerational communication program and promoting media literacy as part of sustainable and inclusive aging initiatives.
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