Does the Internet Use Improve the Mental Health of Chinese Older Adults

Dados Bibliográficos

ID22073129
AutoresLin Xie (0000-0002-5622-1692, Institute of Population and Labor Economics), James Yang (0000-0002-6179-1673, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law), Hua-Lei Yang, Xue-Yu Lin, Xueyu Lin (Zhongnan University of Economics and Law), Shi-Ming Ti (Zhongnan University of Economics and Law), Yuan-Yang Wu (0000-0002-2193-2275, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law), Shuo Zhang (0000-0002-7812-4260, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law), Siqing Zhang (Zhongnan University of Economics and Law), Si-qing Zhang, Wanli Zhou (0009-0001-5373-6906, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, autor correspondente), Wan-li Zhou
Ano2021
Volume9
Páginas673368-673368
Data de publicação2021-07-16
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
EditoraFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2021.673368
PMID34336769
OpenAlexW3183867073
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas34
Referências citadas41

Purpose: The Internet has become an important part of daily life. However, older adults in China remain digital refugees amid the rapid development of digital information technology. This study attempts to scientifically answer how Internet use affects the subjective welfare of older adults. Method: Using data from the 2014 and 2016 China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey (CLASS), a combination of ordinary least squares, ordered logit regression models, and propensity score matching (PSM) models were used to analyze the effects of Internet use on the mental health of Chinese older adults. Results: Our findings suggest that Internet use affects the mental health of older adults and increases the incidence of their depressive symptoms. These findings are robust to changing the key indicators, research method, and sample. Further heterogeneity analysis reveals that the negative effects on mental health are more evident for specific groups of older adults, such as those who are women, younger and middle-aged, high-income, non-rural Hukou, less educated, and living with others. Conclusions: Cultivating the ability of older adults to use the Internet and maintain a rational attitude while doing so can prevent its negative impact on their life satisfaction. Moreover, it can improve their attitudes toward using the technology and reduce their anxiety

Anxiety · China · Geography · Life satisfaction · Logistic regression · Mental health · Propensity score matching · Psychiatry · The Internet · Welfare · Clinical Psychology · Computer Science · Health disparities and outcomes · Impact of Technology on Adolescents · Medicine · Psychology · Social Psychology · Technology Use by Older Adults · Gerontology