Social media use and life satisfaction among elderly migrants: dual mediation of social connection and place attachment.

BACKGROUND: "Elderly migrants" constitute an important segment of the aging mobile population. Due to their mobility, their mental health and psychological needs require greater attention. Life satisfaction serves as a key indicator of their mental health. Therefore, understanding the life satisfaction of elderly migrants is a critical and practical research topic. However, the impact of social media use on improving their life satisfaction has not been empirically verified. METHODS: This study employs a structural equation model to propose research hypotheses and a theoretical framework, followed by empirical testing. Specifically, the study first conducts a literature review to propose a structural equation model using social connection and place attachment as theoretical perspectives and mediators. This model explores whether the social media use of elderly migrants can enhance their life satisfaction by improving their social connection and sense of place attachment, thus addressing their psychological needs. A sampling method was then used to select participants for the study, and a survey was conducted, yielding 328 valid responses. Finally, empirical methods were employed to verify the hypotheses. RESULTS: (1) Social media use among elderly migrants positively impacts social connection and place attachment. (2) Social media use among elderly migrants indirectly and positively influences life satisfaction through the mediating roles of social connection and place attachment, thereby meeting psychological needs. (3) Social media use among elderly migrants does not directly and positively affect life satisfaction. CONCLUSION: Social media use has a definitive impact on the life satisfaction of elderly migrants. Therefore, it is recommended that elderly migrants learn to use various social media functions to enhance their convenience. Children should provide digital support to their accompanying parents, while social media platforms should develop age-friendly functions and products. Additionally, governments, communities, and social organizations should facilitate online and offline interactions to help elderly migrants establish social connections and a sense of place attachment, thereby improving their life satisfaction, addressing their psychological needs, and promoting mental health.