ABSTRACT

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ONLINE-BASED SOCIAL SUPPORT AND THE INCIDENCE OF LONELINESS AMONG ELDERLY LIVING ALONE IN THE DIGITAL ERA

By: Rizki Kurnia Salsabila

Loneliness among the elderly is a significant psychosocial issue, especially for those who live alone and have limited social interaction. The advancement of digital technology offers new opportunities for providing online-based social support, which can help the elderly feel more emotionally and socially connected. This study aims to analyze the relationship between online-based social support and the incidence of loneliness among elderly people living alone in Ponorogo Regency in the digital era.
This research employed a correlational design with a cross-sectional approach. The sample consisted of 67 elderly individuals living alone and having access to digital communication media, selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) and the UCLA Loneliness Scale Version 3. Data analysis was conducted using the Spearman Rho correlation test with a significance level of α = 0.05.
The results showed that most elderly participants received moderate to high levels of online social support and experienced varying degrees of loneliness. Statistical analysis indicated a p-value < 0.05, signifying a significant relationship between online-based social support and the incidence of loneliness among the elderly.
It can be concluded that the higher the level of online-based social support received by the elderly, the lower the level of loneliness they experience. This study recommends strengthening digital social support through structured digital literacy training and encouraging family and community involvement in building meaningful online interactions with the elderly.
Keywords : Social Support Online, Loneliness, Elderly, Digital Era