Connecting through clicks: A longitudinal examination of internet use and depressive symptoms among middle‐ and old‐aged Chinese.

Aim: While prior investigations into the influence of internet engagement on depressive symptoms in middle‐aged and older individuals have largely been favorable, concerns persist. Some research posits that internet use may detract from direct interpersonal interactions, elevating depression risks....

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Publicado en:Geriatrics & Gerontology International Vol. 24; no. 2; pp. 218 - 225
Autores principales: Mu, Aruhan, Hong, Ziying, Wu, Xiang
Formato: research tables/charts Journal Article
Publicado: Wiley-Blackwell Feb2024
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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      dt: Feb2024
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      pub: Wiley-Blackwell
      place: Malden, Massachusetts
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        10.1111/ggi.14800
        175196843
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        atl: Connecting through clicks: A longitudinal examination of internet use and depressive symptoms among middle‐ and old‐aged Chinese.
      aug:
        au:
          Mu, Aruhan
          Hong, Ziying
          Wu, Xiang
        affil: School of Management, Wuhan Textile University, Wuhan, China
      sug:
        subj:
          Internet Utilization
          Depression Risk Factors
          Risk Assessment
          Depression Risk Factors
          Social Participation
          Human
          Aged
          Male
          Female
          Middle Age
          Funding Source
          Prospective Studies
          China
          Mediation Analysis
          Internet Addiction Complications
          Aged: 65+ years
          Middle Aged: 45-64 years
          Male
          Female
      ab: Aim: While prior investigations into the influence of internet engagement on depressive symptoms in middle‐aged and older individuals have largely been favorable, concerns persist. Some research posits that internet use may detract from direct interpersonal interactions, elevating depression risks. Here, we scrutinize these contrasting views, endeavoring to delineate the relationship between internet use, social participation, and the ensuing depressive manifestations. Methods: We analyzed nationally representative data from three consecutive waves (2013‐T1, 2015‐T2, 2018‐T3) of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study survey. Measures of social participation encompassed formal social participation (i.e., attending clubs for mahjong, chess, sports, or other activities; participation in community organizations, volunteering, or enrolling in training courses) and informal social participation (i.e., interactions with friends or extending assistance to relatives, friends, or neighbors). Structural equation modeling was used to evaluate a focused longitudinal mediation model. Results: Our dataset comprised 13 671 individuals aged 45 years or older. Baseline internet use was associated with a decrease in depressive symptoms by T3 (c′ = −0.143, SE = 0.055). The longitudinal association between internet use and the alleviation of depressive symptoms was partially mediated by enhanced formal social participation (indirect effect a1×b1 = −0.023, SE = 0.011). Conclusions: For developing nations such as China, grappling with a rapidly aging demographic and scarce mental health infrastructure, pioneering initiatives that merge digital and formal social participation might be a valuable component in a multifaceted approach to alleviate late‐life depression. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 218–224.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        research
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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