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Mobile Application Use and Loneliness among Older Adults in the Digital Age: Insights from a Survey in Hong Kong during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Chun Yang

    (Department of Geography, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong)

  • Daniel W. L. Lai

    (Faculty of Social Sciences, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong)

  • Yi Sun

    (Department of Building and Real Estate, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong
    Research Institute for Land and Space, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong)

  • Chun-Yin Ma

    (Department of Geography, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong)

  • Anson Kai Chun Chau

    (Department of Psychology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong)

Abstract

Existing literature on the associations between use of mobile applications (i.e., mobile apps) and loneliness among older adults (OAs) has been mainly conducted before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since mobile apps have been increasingly used by OAs during the pandemic, subsequent effects on social and emotional loneliness need updated investigation. This paper examines the relationship between mobile app use and loneliness among Hong Kong’s OAs during the pandemic. In our research, 364 OAs with current use experience of mobile apps were interviewed through a questionnaire survey conducted during July and August 2021, which assessed the use frequency and duration of 14 mobile app types and levels of emotional and social loneliness. The survey illustrated communication (e.g., WhatsApp) and information apps were the most commonly used. Emotional loneliness was associated with the use of video entertainment (frequency and duration), instant communication (duration), and information apps (duration). Association between video entertainment apps’ use and emotional loneliness was stronger among older and less educated OAs. Our findings highlight the distinctive relationships between different types of apps and loneliness among Hong Kong’s OAs during the pandemic, which warrant further exploration via research into post-pandemic patterns and comparative studies in other regions.

Suggested Citation

  • Chun Yang & Daniel W. L. Lai & Yi Sun & Chun-Yin Ma & Anson Kai Chun Chau, 2022. "Mobile Application Use and Loneliness among Older Adults in the Digital Age: Insights from a Survey in Hong Kong during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-22, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:13:p:7656-:d:845528
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Heng Yang & Jianbin Jin, 2022. "Shared Destiny in the Digital Era: Sensation Seeking, Loneliness, and Excessive Internet Use among Middle-Aged and Older Adults in Mainland China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-17, October.

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