Active & Passive Media Usage and Depression among the Elderly during COVID-19: Does Race matter?

Abstract

Rising depression and anxiety among the elderly during COVID-19 are troublesome both for the individuals and society. Using the emotional contagion theory, we examined the complex linkages between social media use and depression among the elderly during the pandemic. We found that active but not passive use of social media is associated with depression. Further, we investigated whether social media use (both active and passive) has a differential impact on depression for blacks and whites in America. We found that active social media is associated with depression for both blacks and whites, whereas passive SMU is associated with depression only among blacks. Further, we conducted multiperiod analyses by measuring depression scores at four different time periods. Based on the robust approach, we found support for the above linkages indicating the persistent adverse impact of social media usage. The present study provides insights into the cause of depression among the elderly during the pandemic. Our study has significant implications for academicians and practitioners.