Soledad, envejecimiento activo y facebook: perspectiva de las personas mayores

Introduction: Ageing is a natural phenomenon that involves a set of changes in the body and is associated with several life transitions, such as retirement, institutionalisation and death of spouse and friends, which entails the loss of social contexts and interactions, contributing to the experience of feelings of loneliness and isolation by the elderly. In an increasingly ageing and technological society, Facebook is the most used social network worldwide, and in Portugal, older people tend to use it more and more. Objectives: This study aimed to understand the relationship between the use of the social network Facebook and the loneliness experienced by the elderly. It was sought: to assess the degree of loneliness; to know the use of Facebook by the elderly in its different dimensions; and, to understand the impact of Facebook in promoting family ties and combating isolation. Methods: This is a mixed-approach and descriptive-correlational study. Data were collected through an online questionnaire, which integrated the UCLA Loneliness Scale, and interviews. The sample integrated 269 individuals aged 55 years or older, retired and Facebook users. Results: The results allowed concluding that most respondents use Facebook as a means of socialization and communication, as a source of knowledge, as a refuge against loneliness and a means of connection to more distant relatives. Conclusions: Facebook can help fight isolation and promotes the preservation of family and social networks, contributing to active ageing.