Page No 420-428
Virendra Byadwal
Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi
The present study aims to examine the interrelationships between social media, region,
social support, and loneliness among the elderly. The participants included 200 elderly
individuals (50 from rural areas, 50 from urban areas, 50 non-users of social media, and
50 social media users) aged between 60 and 75 years from Jaipur, Rajasthan. The data
were analysed using descriptive statistics and correlational analysis. The findings
revealed significant differences between groups regarding social support and loneliness,
both between rural and urban elderly and between social media users and non-users.
A significant difference was observed in social support, with rural elderly individuals
receiving more support than their urban counterparts. Social media users experienced
greater social support than non-users. Additionally, urban and non-social media-using
elderly individuals experienced more loneliness than their rural and social media-using
counterparts. A negative correlation was found between social support and loneliness.
These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the interaction between social
media, region, social support, and loneliness among the elderly