NCT07160803

Migrant Elderly's Social Network Use Intervention: An Activity Theory-Based Study

Research on the Status and Strategies of Migrant Elderly for Social Network Software Use From the Activity Theory

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 61 (actual)
• Sponsor: Huzhou University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 55 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This study aims to construct a social network usage intervention program tailored to the characteristics of mobile elderly people, verify its effectiveness, and provide a reference for expanding the field of community care services, bridging the digital divide among mobile elderly people, and promoting their move towards healthy aging.

Detailed description

This study employed a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design, recruiting migrant elderly from a community in Huzhou City as participants. They were randomly assigned to an intervention group and a control group. The control group (n=30) received routine social activities, with compensatory intervention provided after the experiment. The intervention group (n=31) underwent a scientifically valid and operationally feasible practical intervention program, which was developed based on the questionnaire survey method, experimental method, and semi-structured interview method, guided by the Activity Theory, and lasted for 12 weeks. Before the intervention, after 12 weeks of intervention, and one month after the intervention concluded, standardized scales were used to assess the levels of proactive social network use, basic psychological needs, social isolation, and e-health literacy, respectively. For data analysis, independent-samples t-tests and Spearman correlation analysis were performed based on data distribution patterns and homogeneity of variance, while multiple linear regression was applied for multivariate analysis. Inter-group comparisons post-intervention utilized two independent-samples t-tests and Mann-Whitney U tests, whereas intra-group comparisons employed paired-samples t-tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. The significance level was set at α=0.05.

Conditions

• Elderly Migrants
• Social Networks

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Intervention Program for Social Network Use Based on Activity Theory	The intervention program is structured around a three - phase framework for migrant elderly's social network use: ① triggering motivation and building basic capabilities; ② reinforcing motivation and enhancing advanced capabilities; ③ sustaining motivation and maintaining usage habits. The process involves assessing baseline status (via scales like ASNSUS, eHEALS), implementing phased interventions (teaching WeChat skills, facilitating social connections), and evaluating effectiveness (process and outcome evaluations). The 12 - week program is executed by a team including researchers, community workers, and elderly volunteers.
OTHER	Routine community activities only	After receiving regular community services and management, and understanding the overall situation and needs of the intervention targets, researchers and community managers will conduct a weekly health lecture, an offline social activity involving local elderly people (such as fitness, cultural and entertainment activities, etc.), or a lecture on policies and welfare related to migrant elderly people, etc., and regularly distribute relevant paper materials.

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-10-01
• Primary completion: 2024-12-31
• Completion: 2025-01-12
• First posted: 2025-09-08
• Last updated: 2025-09-08

Locations

1 site across 1 country: China