Getting connected while aging: the effects of WeChat network characteristics on the well-being of Chinese mature adults

Abstract

We Chat is one of the most popular social media applications, ranking fifth globally. Drawing on the socioemotional selectivity theory, this study investigated the usage of WeChat among Chinese aged 50–80 years in 68 cities across the country. This study is the first to examine the effects of the characteristics of the WeChat network on users’ psychological well-being (PWB) and subjective well-being (SWB). The results of the online survey (N = 506) suggested that making strong connections on WeChat positively affected the participants’ PWB and SWB. Connecting with individuals who shared the same interests also improved the participants’ PWB and SWB. However, connections with neighbors on WeChat decreased their PWB. Our findings have valuable implications for social networking platform designers, social workers, and the community of both emerging seniors and senior citizens.

Keywords:

• well-being
• network size
• network composition
• SNS
• WeChat
• seniors

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jian Raymond Rui

Jian Raymond Rui (Ph.D., University at Buffalo, the State University of New York) is a professor in the College of Journalism and Communication at South China University of Technology. Integrating new technology and interpersonal communication, Dr. Rui's research has been published in Computers in Human Behavior, Information, Communication, and Society, CyberPsychology, Social Networking and Behavior, among others.

Nan Yu

Nan Yu (Ph.D., Penn State University) is an associate professor in the Nicholson School of Communication and Media at University of Central Florida. Dr. Yu's research has been published in Health Communication, Information Sciences, International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, and Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, among others. Her research has been supported by the National Science Foundation and the AEJMC Emerging Scholars Program.

Qian Xu

Qian Xu (Ph.D., Penn State University) is an associate professor at the School of Communications at Elon University. Her research interests focus on the social and psychological effects of online technology. Her research has been published in Journal of Communication, Mass Communication and Society, Communication Research, Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly, Media Psychology, and Computers in Human Behavior, among others.

Xi Cui

Xi Cui (Ph.D., Texas A&M University) is an assistant professor of communication at the College of Charleston. His research explores the intersections of new media technologies, identity, and emotions, especially in the context of media events. His research has appeared in Journal of Broadcasting and Electronic Media, International Journal of Communication, and Chinese Journal of Communication, among others.