Exploring the Effect of Social Media and Group Chat Use on Social Isolation Among the Older Adults: A Study in Urban Japan

Yohei Sekikawa I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences at Kyorin University. I received a Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy from the Department of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health and Medical Science at Nihon Institute of Medical Science in 2011, and a Master’s degree in Health Sciences from the Graduate School of Health Sciences at Teikyo Heisei University in 2020. Clinically, I worked for over five years at Seiyamakai Kiyokawa Hospital and later gained further experience as a part-time occupational therapist in rehabilitation hospitals, day-care centers, and home-visit rehabilitation services. My current research focuses on the relationship between social networking site (SNS) use and psychosomatic health among older adults. I am a licensed occupational therapist and a member of the Japanese Association of Occupational Therapists, the Japan Academy for Gerontology, and the Japan Society for Applied Gerontology. Author Affiliation Current Affiliation: Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Kyorin University   Affiliation where most research was conducted: Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Kyorin University

Masafumi Kunishige Masafumi Kunishige is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at Bunkyo Gakuin University. He earned his Doctor of Health Sciences from Hiroshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences. His background includes work at a disability support facility and teaching as a lecturer at a special support school.His research focuses on occupational therapy for physical disabilities, particularly post-stroke rehabilitation. He specializes in evaluating upper limb function, cognitive performance, and driving ability in older adults. He also led a Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up project on fine motor coordination in individuals with autism spectrum disorder. In addition, he has contributed to studies on spatial navigation in older drivers, the effects of leisure-exercise programs, and cognitive function in aging.He is a member of the Japanese Association of Occupational Therapists, the Japanese Society of Physiological Anthropology, the Japan Society for Dementia Prevention, the Japanese Neuropsychological Society, and the Saitama Prefecture Occupational Therapy Association.Author AffiliationCurrent: Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Bunkyo Gakuin University; Assistant Professor Research conducted at: Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Bunkyo Gakuin University; Assistant Professor

Taichi Hitomi Taichi Hitomi is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy at Kyorin University, Faculty of Health Sciences. He graduated from Tama Rehabilitation College in 2004, earned a B.A. in Psychology from Tokyo University of Welfare in 2015, and completed graduate studies at J. F. Oberlin University, receiving a Master’s degree in Health Psychology in 2018 and a Doctorate in International Humanities and Social Sciences in 2022. His clinical experience includes work at Yamanashi Rehabilitation Hospital, Juntendo University Hospital, and Tokorozawa Rehabilitation Hospital. His research focuses on the effects of touching and mindfulness breathing techniques. He has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and contributed to academic books. He is a licensed occupational therapist, a certified psychologist, and a certified health psychology instructor. He is a member of the Japanese Association of Occupational Therapists, the Japanese Society of Health Psychology, and the Japanese Society of Psychosomatic Health Science. Author Affiliation Current Affiliation: Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Kyorin University   Affiliation where most research was conducted: Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Kyorin University

Kazumi Kikuchi Kazumi Kikuchi is a Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at Teikyo Heisei University Graduate School of Health Sciences, and also serves in the same capacity in the undergraduate Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Department of Occupational Therapy. She holds a Doctorate in Gerontology from J. F. Oberlin University Graduate School. Her research lies at the intersection of social medicine, gerontological rehabilitation, life sciences, and human–animal relationship studies. Key research topics include the effectiveness of “dog walking” in promoting community-based social relationships among elderly pet owners. She is a member of the Japanese Association of Occupational Therapists, the Japanese Society of Applied Gerontology, the Japanese Society of Gerontological Social Science, the Human–Animal Interaction Society, the Society for Human and Environmental Studies, and the Japanese Society of Health Psychology. Author Affiliation Current Affiliation: Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Teikyo Heisei University; Professor   Affiliation where most research was conducted: Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Teikyo Heisei University; Professor