Wang Hanqian, Lu Jingjing, Wang Yueyao, Li Lu
Institute of Social Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
School of Statistics and Mathematics, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
J Affect Disord. 2025 Mar 1;372:134-143. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.11.060. Epub 2024 Nov 22.
Previous studies have shown an association between Internet access and cognitive function, and have also found that loneliness is a precursor to cognitive impairment. However, little is known about the bidirectional relationship between Internet access and cognitive function, and the potential mechanisms that underlie these three variables. This study examined the reciprocal relationship between Internet access and cognitive function, as well as the mediating role of loneliness among middle-aged and older Chinese adults.
Data were derived from four waves (2011, 2013, 2015, and 2018) of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. A total of 6578 participants aged 50 and above with complete cognitive test data at baseline were selected for the analysis. Cross-lagged panel models were applied to explore the relationship between Internet access and cognitive function, with attention to the mediating role of loneliness.
Reciprocal 4-wave lagged associations between Internet access and cognitive function, and the partial mediating role of loneliness were found in this study, controlling for all covariates. Increased Internet access predicts better cognitive function over time, and vice versa. Notably, this association was partially mediated by loneliness, indicating that more Internet access was associated with reduced loneliness, which was then associated with better cognitive performance.
This suggests that Internet access can influence individuals' cognitive function by impacting their feelings of loneliness. Multidisciplinary interventions utilizing digital connections to alleviate loneliness, enhance cognitive resilience, and delay cognitive decline may thus contribute to healthier aging in the digital era.
以往研究表明互联网使用与认知功能之间存在关联，且发现孤独是认知障碍的先兆。然而，对于互联网使用与认知功能之间的双向关系以及这三个变量背后的潜在机制，人们了解甚少。本研究考察了中国中老年成年人中互联网使用与认知功能之间的相互关系，以及孤独在其中的中介作用。
数据来源于中国健康与养老追踪调查的四轮（2011年、2013年、2015年和2018年）调查。共选取了6578名50岁及以上且在基线时拥有完整认知测试数据的参与者进行分析。应用交叉滞后面板模型来探究互联网使用与认知功能之间的关系，并关注孤独的中介作用。
本研究发现，在控制所有协变量的情况下，互联网使用与认知功能之间存在双向4波滞后关联，且孤独具有部分中介作用。随着时间的推移，互联网使用增加预示着认知功能更好，反之亦然。值得注意的是，这种关联部分由孤独介导，表明更多的互联网使用与孤独感降低相关，而孤独感降低又与更好的认知表现相关。
这表明互联网使用可以通过影响个体孤独感来影响其认知功能。因此，利用数字连接减轻孤独感、增强认知恢复力并延缓认知衰退的多学科干预措施可能有助于数字时代更健康地衰老。
