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Journals / İmgelem / 2026 / Sayı: Yeni Medya Çalışmaları Özel Sayı

The Impact of New Media Literacy on Psychological Well-Being and Digital Loneliness Among Older Adults

Yaşlı Bireylerde Yeni Medya Okuryazarlığının Dijital Yalnızlık ve İyi Oluş Üzerindeki Etkisi

Zeynep Gümüş Demir(USKUDAR UNIVERSITY)0000-0003-4474-4813
Journal
İmgelem
Pages
169–194
Publication Date
2025-09-28
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

The findings indicate that higher levels of new media literacy among older adults are associated with increased psychological well-being and reduced digital loneliness.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:In the digital age, the level of media engagement among older adults plays a critical role in their social participation and psychosocial well-being.
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Key Findings & Data:The research was conducted with 128 individuals aged 60 and above residing in Istanbul.
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Conclusion & Impact:The findings indicate that higher levels of new media literacy among older adults are associated with increased psychological well-being and reduced digital loneliness.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Yeni Medya Okuryazarlığı · Dijital Yalnızlık · Yaşlı Bireylerde İyi Oluş.

Abstract

In the digital age, the level of media engagement among older adults plays a critical role in their social participation and psychosocial well-being. The aim of this study is to examine the impact of new media literacy on digital loneliness and psychological well-being among older adults. The research was conducted with 128 individuals aged 60 and above residing in Istanbul. Participants completed the New Media Literacy Scale, the Psychological Well-Being Scale for the Elderly, and the Digital Loneliness Scale. The data were analyzed using t-tests, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation analysis; predictive relationships between variables were tested through multiple linear regression analysis. The findings indicate that higher levels of new media literacy among older adults are associated with increased psychological well-being and reduced digital loneliness. The ability to use digital content in an effective, accurate, and purposeful manner emerged as a significant factor influencing both well-being and digital loneliness. Additionally, participants with higher levels of education and income showed higher levels of media literacy and psychological well-being. Notable gender differences were also observed: women reported higher psychological well-being, whereas men experienced higher levels of digital loneliness. These results suggest that critical and functional access to digital content enhances older adults’ social participation and supports their overall well-being. It is believed that the findings of this study can contribute to the expansion of digital literacy training for older adults, the promotion of digital inclusion, and the strengthening of active aging policies.

Özet

Dijital çağda yaşlı bireylerin medya ile etkileşim düzeyi, toplumsal hayata katılım ve psikososyal iyi oluş açısından önem taşımaktadır. Bu araştırmanın amacı, yaşlı bireylerde yeni medya okuryazarlığının dijital yalnızlık ve iyi oluş üzerindeki etkisini incelemektir. Araştırma, İstanbul ilinde yaşayan 60 yaş ve üzeri 128 birey ile yürütülmüştür. Katılımcılara Yeni Medya Okuryazarlık Ölçeği, Yaşlılarda Psikolojik İyi Oluş Ölçeği ve Dijital Yalnızlık Ölçeği uygulanmıştır. Elde edilen veriler, t-testi, ANOVA ve Pearson korelasyon analizi ile değerlendirilmiş; çoklu doğrusal regresyon analizi ile değişkenler arasındaki yordayıcı ilişkiler test edilmiştir. Araştırma bulguları, yaşlı bireylerin yeni medya okuryazarlığı düzeylerinin psikolojik iyi oluşu artırırken, dijital yalnızlık duygusunu azalttığını göstermektedir. Bireylerin dijital medyada içeriklerini etkin, doğru ve amaçlı bir şekilde kullanma becerisi, psikolojik iyi oluş ve dijital yalnızlık üzerinde anlamlı bir değişken olarak öne çıkmaktadır. Ayrıca daha yüksek eğitim ve gelir düzeyine sahip bireylerin medya okuryazarlık ve iyi oluş düzeyleri daha yüksek bulunmuştur. Cinsiyet farklılıkları da dikkate değer olup, kadınlar daha yüksek psikolojik iyi oluş düzeyine, erkekler ise daha yüksek dijital yalnızlık düzeyine sahiptir. Bu sonuçlar, dijital içeriklere eleştirel ve işlevsel erişimin yaşlı bireylerin toplumsal katılımını güçlendirdiği ve iyi oluş düzeylerini artırdığını göstermektedir. Araştırma verilerinin, yaşlı bireylere yönelik dijital okuryazarlık eğitimlerinin yaygınlaştırılmasına, dijital kapsayıcılığın artırılmasına ve aktif yaşlanma politikalarının güçlendirilmesine katkı sağlayabileceği düşünülmektedir.

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Cite This Article

Demir, Z. G. (2025). The Impact of New Media Literacy on Psychological Well-Being and Digital Loneliness Among Older Adults. İmgelem, Sayı: Yeni Medya Çalışmaları Özel Sayı, 169–194. https://doi.org/10.53791/imgelem.1692076

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