How Can Online Communities Support Resilience Factors among Older Adults

Abstract

ABSTRACT Recent gerontology studies emphasize resilience, the process of bouncing back from adversity as a significant factor of wellbeing. Further, advancements in technology such as online communities benefit older adults in various ways. Despite the evidence demonstrating the importance of resilience in wellbeing and specifically in later life, the relationship between online communities’ potential benefits and resilience factors among older adults is understudied. This study undertakes a systematic review of studies on potential benefits of online communities for older adults followed by an inductive thematic analysis to uncover the potential benefits of online communities for older adults. Next, the findings were compared with resilience factors of older adults to identify the potential benefits of online communities that can support resilience factors among older adults. Three potential benefits of online communities are identified: social support, self-empowerment, and wellbeing improvement. Findings show that these benefits can support resilience factors including meaningfulness, grit, self-care, external connection, health status, positive perspective on life, and independence. Our study provides a foundation based on the current literature and suggests future research directions to advance knowledge on the role of online communities in the resilience of older adults.