Research On The Relationship Between WeChat Usage,Social Adaptation And Life Satisfaction Of Chinese Urban Elderly

The 21st century is an age of global population aging and an era of science and technology.In the age of science and technology,older people are often a forgotten group.However,more and more elderly people have achieved digital breakthrough by WeChat.This article examines the use of WeChat among the elderly and the impact of WeChat usage on the lives of older people.The issue of aging is a hot topic in sociological studies.Social adaptation and life satisfaction are particularly concerned.So,this article introduces these two concepts into the research framework to discuss the relationship between the WeChat usage,the social adaptability and life satisfaction of the elderly and their impact mechanisms.This research uses two methods of in-depth interview and questionnaire.The interview focuses on understanding the reasons for the use of WeChat among the elderly,the obstacles encountered,and the impact of the use of WeChat on their lives.We interviewed 16 senior citizens in Beijing and Xiamen.Questionnaire quantitatively studied the relationship between the use of WeChat,social adaptability,and life satisfaction among the elderly and the impact mechanisms.A total of 539 valid questionnaires were collected.Interviews found that family reunification,herd effect,and ease of use are the main reasons why older people use WeChat.WeChat has positive effects on the elderly in terms of promoting family communication,broadening their horizons,expanding the social circle,and providing recreational entertainment.But,excessive use also can cause "Internet addiction".And,there are four obstacles for elderly people:"unable to use","hard to use","dare to use" and "no interest to use".Data analysis found that health and cultural levels limit the WeChat use of the elderly.Age,cultural level,health level,and WeChat usage all affect the degree of social adaptation of older people.Older married people have higher life satisfaction.The health status,social adaptability,and life satisfaction of the elderly are directly and positively correlated.The degree of the use of WeChat of the elderly affects the life satisfaction of the elderly under the mediating effect of interpersonal communication.In summary,the use of WeChat and the Internet is changing the lifestyle of the elderly,such as learning,socializing,and entertainment and so on.Using Internet can promote family communication,closer relationships with children,enrich life contents,increase social participation,and help the elderly to continue socializing.Technology is a key to solving the aging problem.We need to use an innovative perspective to think about the relationship between technology and the elderly.We must enable the development of science and technology to benefit the older population.Use the power of technology to improve the lives of the elderly so that every elderly person has a happy old age.