The Impact of New Media Use on Quality of Family Ethical Life of Older Adults

Background The present study examines the effect of new media use and its associated online intergenerational relations on the quality of family ethical life among Chinese older adults. Methods In this regard, a total of 480 Chinese older adults, consisting of 304 females and 176 males with varying ages, educational levels, and income levels, were included in the study. Data were collected through a questionnaire survey, including a personal information form and a self-developed Family Ethical Life Quality Questionnaire for Older Adults. Accordingly, reliability analysis, regression analysis, and other statistical methods were employed. Results Results Significant positive predictive effects of new media perception and new media access (the first-level digital divide) were found on the quality of family ethical life among older adults, whereas no significant effects were found for new media usage frequency and usage functions. Online intergenerational support (upward type) was found to have a significant positive effect on the quality of family ethical life among older adults. Digital back-feeding within the family, as an integral component of the technical and informational support underlying upward online intergenerational support, plays a significant role in the quality of family ethical life among older adults. Older adults perceive upward online intergenerational support as part of "online filial piety culture," which in turn influences their quality of family ethical life. Conclusions This study enriches the research on the effects of new media access and use in the field of aging research in a mediatized society, and brings the “home” culture and family communication perspective to the study of the quality of life of older adults.