Bibliometric Analysis of Research Trends on Older Adults and Digital Communication (2005-2025)

This study aims to reveal the trends and structural patterns in the academic literature on digital communication processes among older adults. A total of 239 articles published between 2005 and 2025 in the Web of Science (WoS) database were selected based on specified inclusion/exclusion criteria and analyzed using bibliometric techniques. The data were evaluated in descriptive, performance, and scientific mapping categories using R Bibliometrix and VOSviewer software. According to the analysis results, research on digital communication has diversified in terms of content and shifted direction over time. While studies in the early years focused solely on situation analysis and the adaptation of older adults to technology, a period of maturation in terms of integration into the digital society was identified in subsequent years, and it was determined that research shifted toward a more user-centered, emotional, and ethics-oriented direction. In particular, it was found that concepts such as health communication, mental health, and privacy came to the forefront after the COVID-19 pandemic. The data obtained were discussed in the context of the relevant literature.older adultsolder adults本研究旨在揭示老年群体（older adults）数字传播过程相关学术文献的研究趋势与结构模式。本研究基于既定的纳入/排除标准，筛选出2005年至2025年间发表于Web of Science（WoS）数据库的239篇文献，并采用文献计量学方法开展分析。研究借助R语言Bibliometrix工具与VOSviewer可视化软件，从描述性分析、绩效分析与科学图谱映射三个维度对数据进行评估。分析结果表明，老年数字传播领域的研究在内容维度呈现多元化特征，且随时间推移发生研究方向的转向。早期研究仅聚焦于现状分析与老年群体的技术适配问题；后续阶段则进入数字社会融入层面的成熟发展期，研究转向更以用户为中心、注重情感关怀与伦理导向的方向。尤为值得关注的是，新冠疫情后，健康传播、心理健康与隐私保护等议题逐渐成为研究热点。本研究所得数据结合相关学术文献展开了深入讨论。