Impact mechanism of social-related social media use on the job performance of caregivers of older adults

•Social-related social media use can affect job performance by influencing the recovery experience and mental health of caregivers of older adults.•Psychological well-being plays a more important role in the relationship between social-related social media use and job performance than psychological distress.•Contrary to previous research conclusions, psychological detachment positively affects psychological distress and negatively affects psychological well-being.•There are significant differences in the impact path of social-related social media use on psychological distress among different gender groups. This study investigated the impact mechanism of social-related social media use on the job performance of caregivers of older adults through mental health and analyzed gender differences. A total of 358 valid questionnaires were collected and analyzed using SPSS and Smart PLS. The results showed that mental health plays an important role in the relationship between social-related social media use and job performance. Such social media use can improve psychological well-being and reduce psychological distress by promoting relaxation experience. Psychological well-being has a significant positive impact on job performance. In addition, significant differences exist in the impact path of social-related social media use on psychological distress among different gender groups. The findings of this study can assist nursing homes in assessing the use of social media within their organizations and provide methodological references for enhancing the job performance of caregivers of older adults.