New SSHRC Partnership Engage funding to study social media engagement with health services among older adults

Congratulations to Dr. Dora (Yun) Wang, who has been awarded a SSHRC Partnership Engage Grant for a research project aimed at understanding how social media engagement influences the health behaviours and well-being of older adults (50+ years old). These partnership grants, which support research excellence in the social sciences and humanities, are meant to respond to immediate needs and time constraints faced by organizations in non-academic sectors.

This research project will delve into the relationship between older adults’ use of social media and their engagement with health services. Focusing on individuals aged 50+, the research team will identify the motivations that drive older adults’ social media interactions, how those interactions impact their intentions to adopt health services, and the overall perception of well-being among the sample group.

Conducted in collaboration with a leading provider of consultancy and healthcare services for seniors and their families, the study will yield findings that will help the partner organization refine its social media strategy while contributing to academic knowledge by addressing gaps in our understanding of older adults’ social media engagement in healthcare contexts.