Internet use and depression among Chinese older adults

The mediating effect of interpersonal relationship

Bibliographic Data

ID22076366
AuthorsNan Yan (0000-0002-0637-3989, Xi'an Jiaotong University), Yan Nan, Yating Xie (Henan Agricultural University, corresponding author), Yuqun Hu (0009-0009-5812-0885, Xi'an Jiaotong University)
Year2023
Volume11
Pages1102773-1102773
Publication date2023-03-03
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2023.1102773
PMID36935716
OpenAlexW4323031547
LanguageEN
Citations received24
References cited28

The number of elderly Internet users has increased significantly in the past few years, and the Internet has greatly changed the way that older adults access information and communicate. Generally, those who regularly use the Internet may expand their range of interpersonal interactions, which has positive effects on their health. Depression is the leading cause of ill health, and is closely related to people's mental health. We sought to investigate whether internet use help reduce depression level among older adults. Using data from the 2020 China Family Panel Studies (CFPS), a total of 4,714 respondents were included to explore the effects of Internet use on the elderly's depression levels in China, along with the mediating role of interpersonal relationship in the above relationship. Regression results indicated that Internet use significantly reduced depression levels among the elderly. Further analysis showed that different Internet usage had different effects on depression among the elderly. Wechat chatting, video browsing, and online shopping were positively correlated with lower levels of depression. However, playing online games and online learning did not predict reduced levels of depression. Moreover, interpersonal relationship mediated the relationship between Internet use and depression levels. Internet use was associated with a higher level of interpersonal relationship, which in turn reduced depression levels in older adults. Regarding gender and regional differences, the coefficient of Internet use for urban older adults was significantly negative at 0.001 level, while it was not significant for rural older adults. A mediating effect of interpersonal relationship between Internet use and depression levels was only found for male elderly. To reduce the level of depression and promote mental health in the course of aging, Internet use and the improvement of interpersonal relationships merit special attention

Interpersonal communication · Interpersonal relationship · Mental health · Psychiatry · The Internet · World Wide Web · Clinical Psychology · Health disparities and outcomes · Impact of Technology on Adolescents · Medicine · Psychology · Social Psychology · Technology Use by Older Adults

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