Exploring urban empty-nesters' using WeChat influencing factors and quality of life: A qualitative descriptive study

Abstract

Objective: To explore urban empty-nesters using WeChat influencing factors and experiences of improving their quality of life.

Methods: 14 registered empty-nesters who had used WeChat in Fuzhou communities were recruited via convenience and purposive sampling methods with a qualitative descriptive design. Data were collected through individual, semi-structured, and face-to-face interviews and analyzed according to content analysis.

Results: The research revealed two primary themes with associated sub-themes: 1) influencing factors of using WeChat, and 2) quality of life experiences.

Discussions: Physiological factors, education level, and social support were using WeChat influencing factors by urban empty-nesters. WeChat is a convenient channel to improve empty-nesters' daily lives and a practical platform to meet empty-nesters' needs. Identifying these experiences could help older adults, especially empty-nesters' accept the era of intelligence and provide inspiration and reference for the increasingly normalized empty nest life.

Keywords: Empty-nester; Qualitative descriptive study; Quality of life; WeChat.