The relationship of social media on quality of life and public health: A cross-sectional study on digital divide across generations
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Pramila Thapa 1 , Prakash Sharma 2 , Ramesh Bhatta 3 , Anil Chaudhary 3 , Sanjaya Kumar Shah 3 , Rajesh Karki 3 , Konstantina Diamanti 4 , Panagiotis Tsirkas 5 , Antonios Valamontes 6 , Ioannis Pantelis Adamopoulos 7 8 9 *
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1 Department of Nursing, Purbanchal University, Kathmandu, NEPAL2 Faculty of Education, Tribhuvan University, Butwal Multiple Campus, Butwal, NEPAL3 Department of Public Health, Purbanchal University, Kathmandu, NEPAL4 Department of Early Childhood Education, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, GREECE5 Hatzikosta General District Hospital, Ioannina, GREECE6 Kapodistrian Academy of Science, Tampa, Florida, USA7 Department of Public Health Policy, Sector of Occupational & Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of West Attica, Athens, GREECE8 Hellenic Republic, Region of Attica, Department of Environmental Hygiene and Sanitarian Public Health Inspections, Athens, GREECE9 Public Health & Policies, School of Social Science, Hellenic Open University, Patra, GREECE* Corresponding Author

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to examine the relationship between social media use (SMU), social media needs (SMN), and quality of life and public health (QoLPH) among middle-aged and older adults in Nepal, highlighting generational aspects of the digital divide.
Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative study design was employed to assess generational differences in SMU and perceived quality of life among middle-aged and older adults in an urban Nepali setting. A purposive sample of N = 1,000 individuals was surveyed. Standardized instruments, including the social networking sites uses and needs questionnaires. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including regression analysis, were performed using SPSS V. 29.
Results: Among participants, 60% used Facebook and 76.5% used YouTube daily. However, over 60% scored low on diversion, cognitive, affective, personal integrative, and social integrative needs. While 64.4% rated their overall QoLPH as good, 63% were dissatisfied with physical health, and 51% reported poor psychological well-being. Environmental quality was rated fair or poor by 55%. Weak correlations were found between socio-demographic factors and QoLPH or SMU/SMN patterns.
Conclusions: Despite frequent use of popular social platforms, older adults in Nepal report low SMNs and dissatisfaction in key health domains. Addressing physical, psychological, and environmental deficits alongside digital literacy and tailored content may improve QoLPH outcomes. Findings suggest targeted interventions across generations.

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This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Article Type: Research Article

J CONTEMP STUD EPIDEMIOL PUBLIC HEALTH, Volume 7, Issue 1, 2026, Article No: ep26003

https://doi.org/10.29333/jconseph/17855

Publication date: 03 Feb 2026

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Article Downloads: 8

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