The Relationship of Internet-Social Media Use with Cognıtıve Functıons and Depression Level in Adults Over 50 Years

ABSTRACT Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of internet-social media use on depression and cognitive functions in individuals aged 50 and over. Method: This research is a cross-sectional descriptive study. The sample of the research consisted of 398 people. Data were collected by face-to-face interview using a questionnaire, Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form and Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale. Results: The average age of the participants in the study was determined as 59.8±7.8 years. It was determined that 40.7% of individuals use social media, 23.9% find social media useful, and 37.4% use social media for communication purposes. It was determined that independent variables such as age, education, income level, and whom one lives with at home significantly affected the depression level and cognitive dysfunction parameters (p