This study examined how social networks, social support, social connectedness, and digital competency affect loneliness and mental health outcomes among older adults in Thailand. Structural equation modeling (SEM) with data from 165 participants was used to investigate how these factors interact within Thailand's unique cultural context. The results revealed that social connectedness significantly mediated mental health outcomes (β = 0.321, and p < 0.001), while loneliness had a substantial positive effect on mental health (β = 0.677, and p < 0.001). Unlike Western findings, digital competency and traditional social networks showed unexpectedly weak influences on reducing loneliness, potentially reflecting Thailand's distinct patterns of technology adoption among older adults, where face-to-face interactions within family and temple-based community structures remain the primary mode of social engagement, and where digital tools may not yet serve as meaningful substitutes for traditional relational practices. The study model explained 41.6% of the variance in loneliness and 45.9% in mental health outcomes, suggesting that Western social support and digital inclusion frameworks require substantial modification for Thai contexts, where multiple factors-including cultural values, traditional family structures, and economic development conditions-collectively influence social connection patterns. This study highlights the importance of quality over quantity in social connections and demonstrates the need for culturally sensitive interventions that integrate traditional values with contemporary support mechanisms. These insights contribute to understanding how social factors influence the well-being of older adults in developing nations. The predominantly female, urban, and relatively well-educated sample composition suggests that our findings should be interpreted with caution regarding broader generalizability. The cross-sectional design precludes causal inference, particularly regarding the potentially reciprocal relationship between loneliness and mental health, and the weak effect of digital competency on loneliness may also reflect the current stage of digital infrastructure development among older populations in Thailand rather than a universal cultural pattern. The results provide preliminary guidance for Thai healthcare providers and policymakers working with older adults.
Prasertwong et al. (Wed,) studied this question.