Digital self-efficacy and social connectedness linked to less loneliness in older adults

Researchers conducted a cross-sectional study of 300 urban older adults in Kerman, Iran, examining whether digital self-efficacy and social network connectedness were associated with loneliness. Participants completed a researcher-developed Digital Self-Efficacy Questionnaire, the six-item Lubben Social Network Scale and the UCLA Loneliness Scale. The analysis included correlations and hierarchical multiple linear regression adjusted for demographic and contextual characteristics.

Social network connectedness correlated positively with digital self-efficacy (ρ = 0.283, p < 0.001) and negatively with loneliness (ρ = −0.445, p < 0.001). Digital self-efficacy was also negatively correlated with loneliness (ρ = −0.481, p < 0.001). Both measures remained independently associated with loneliness after adjustment. Adding them to the model increased explained variance by 22.4% (ΔR² = 0.224, p < 0.001); the final model explained 35.1% of variance.

The results identify digital confidence and social connectedness as correlates of loneliness in this sample, but the cross-sectional design cannot establish temporal or causal relationships. The authors call for longitudinal and intervention studies. Findings from urban older adults in one Iranian city may not generalize to other populations or settings.