Digital interaction and active aging: the impact of social media use on physical activity behavior mediated by social capital and self-efficacy
BackgroundSocial media use has been linked to higher physical activity levels in older adults, but the mechanisms underlying this connection are not yet well understood. Emerging evidence suggests that social capital may act as a mediator, though little research has explored whether specific dimensi...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1580936/full |
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| author | Jian Liu Chaoxin Wang Zhanpeng Meng Chuanwen Yu |
| author_facet | Jian Liu Chaoxin Wang Zhanpeng Meng Chuanwen Yu |
| author_sort | Jian Liu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundSocial media use has been linked to higher physical activity levels in older adults, but the mechanisms underlying this connection are not yet well understood. Emerging evidence suggests that social capital may act as a mediator, though little research has explored whether specific dimensions of social capital and self-efficacy mediate this relationship.ObjectiveThis study investigates how social media usage influences older adults’ physical activity behavior, focusing on the mediating roles of social capital—structural, bonding, and bridging—and self-efficacy. The goal is to provide a foundation for strategies to promote physical activity in this population.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted between December 2023 and April 2024 involving 519 social media users (275 male and 244 female). Data were gathered using validated scales for social media usage intensity, physical activity levels (PARS-3), social capital, and self-efficacy. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was applied to examine the relationships between these variables and the mediating effects at play.ResultsOlder adults who engaged more actively with social media exhibited higher physical activity behavior (β = 0.179, p < 0.05). Social capital, across its three dimensions—structural (β = 0.254), bonding (β = 0.294), and bridging (β = 0.237)—significantly mediated the link between social media usage and physical activity (all p < 0.05). Additionally, self-efficacy was a critical, independent mediator (β = 0.242, p < 0.05). A chain-mediating effect involving social capital dimensions and self-efficacy further strengthened this relationship (p < 0.05).ConclusionSocial media use fosters physical activity in older adults by building social capital, mainly structural, bonding, and bridging types, and boosting self-efficacy. Enhancing the social media environment, developing social capital, and supporting self-efficacy are vital strategies for promoting physical activity in this group. The cross-sectional design of this study is a limitation, and future longitudinal research is needed to understand the causal relationships better. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-cf6d421e973f45e79fb3e4f25e1f5d06 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1664-1078 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychology |
| spelling | doaj-art-cf6d421e973f45e79fb3e4f25e1f5d062025-08-20T03:21:43ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782025-06-011610.3389/fpsyg.2025.15809361580936Digital interaction and active aging: the impact of social media use on physical activity behavior mediated by social capital and self-efficacyJian Liu0Chaoxin Wang1Zhanpeng Meng2Chuanwen Yu3College of Physical Education and Health, Heze University, Heze, ChinaCollege of Physical Education and Health, Heze University, Heze, ChinaCollege of Physical Education, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, ChinaCollege of Physical Education and Health, Heze University, Heze, ChinaBackgroundSocial media use has been linked to higher physical activity levels in older adults, but the mechanisms underlying this connection are not yet well understood. Emerging evidence suggests that social capital may act as a mediator, though little research has explored whether specific dimensions of social capital and self-efficacy mediate this relationship.ObjectiveThis study investigates how social media usage influences older adults’ physical activity behavior, focusing on the mediating roles of social capital—structural, bonding, and bridging—and self-efficacy. The goal is to provide a foundation for strategies to promote physical activity in this population.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted between December 2023 and April 2024 involving 519 social media users (275 male and 244 female). Data were gathered using validated scales for social media usage intensity, physical activity levels (PARS-3), social capital, and self-efficacy. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was applied to examine the relationships between these variables and the mediating effects at play.ResultsOlder adults who engaged more actively with social media exhibited higher physical activity behavior (β = 0.179, p < 0.05). Social capital, across its three dimensions—structural (β = 0.254), bonding (β = 0.294), and bridging (β = 0.237)—significantly mediated the link between social media usage and physical activity (all p < 0.05). Additionally, self-efficacy was a critical, independent mediator (β = 0.242, p < 0.05). A chain-mediating effect involving social capital dimensions and self-efficacy further strengthened this relationship (p < 0.05).ConclusionSocial media use fosters physical activity in older adults by building social capital, mainly structural, bonding, and bridging types, and boosting self-efficacy. Enhancing the social media environment, developing social capital, and supporting self-efficacy are vital strategies for promoting physical activity in this group. The cross-sectional design of this study is a limitation, and future longitudinal research is needed to understand the causal relationships better.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1580936/fullsocial mediasocial capitalself-efficacyphysical activity behaviorolder adults |
| spellingShingle | Jian Liu Chaoxin Wang Zhanpeng Meng Chuanwen Yu Digital interaction and active aging: the impact of social media use on physical activity behavior mediated by social capital and self-efficacy Frontiers in Psychology social media social capital self-efficacy physical activity behavior older adults |
| title | Digital interaction and active aging: the impact of social media use on physical activity behavior mediated by social capital and self-efficacy |
| title_full | Digital interaction and active aging: the impact of social media use on physical activity behavior mediated by social capital and self-efficacy |
| title_fullStr | Digital interaction and active aging: the impact of social media use on physical activity behavior mediated by social capital and self-efficacy |
| title_full_unstemmed | Digital interaction and active aging: the impact of social media use on physical activity behavior mediated by social capital and self-efficacy |
| title_short | Digital interaction and active aging: the impact of social media use on physical activity behavior mediated by social capital and self-efficacy |
| title_sort | digital interaction and active aging the impact of social media use on physical activity behavior mediated by social capital and self efficacy |
| topic | social media social capital self-efficacy physical activity behavior older adults |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1580936/full |
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