Use of mobile phones, living arrangements and subjective well-being among older people: Evidence from a small survey in Japan
Keishi Ebisawa*, Qin Liu
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AbstractBackground: After the COVID-19 pandemic, older people are increasingly expected to use information and communication technology to maintain social relationships and opportunities for social participation.
Research Aim: This study examines how mobile phone use among community-dwelling older adults is related to subjective well-being (SWB). In particular, this study analyzes both social connections through online means, focusing on the purpose of mobile phone use, and real-life connections, which are based on household composition and the residential location of children.
Methods: A postal questionnaire survey was conducted in 2023 targeting residents aged 65 and over living in a city in Japan with a population structure similar to the national average. From a pool of individuals aged 65 and over, 804 participants were randomly selected through simple random sampling and received the survey. There were 280 valid respondents (valid response rate: 34.8%).
Results: Multiple regression analysis revealed that the use of mobile phones for calls and map searches had a statistically positive relationship with subjective well-being (SWB). On the other hand, household composition and the residential location of children were not statistically significant.
Conclusion: Among the purposes of use, ‘calls’ and ‘map searches’ were suggested to contribute to the improvement of subjective well-being among older adults.Keywords: mobile phones, living arrangements, subjective well-being, older people, Japan
Keishi Ebisawa*, Qin Liu (2025). Use of mobile phones, living arrangements and subjective well-being among older people: Evidence from a small survey in Japan. Gerontechnology, 24(2), 1-8
https://doi.org/10.4017/gt.2025.24.2.1187.3