Jiao Kaishan, Sun Yue
School of Ethnology and Sociology, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China.
Front Public Health. 2025 Mar 19;13:1524276. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1524276. eCollection 2025.
Internet usage has significant effects on the mental health of older adults, particularly in reducing depression levels. However, its impact may differ based on factors such as internet usage frequency, purposes, gender, and urban-rural residence. This study aims to examine the differential effects of internet use on depression among older adults, exploring the mediating role of social networks in these relationships.
Based on panel data from the 2018 and 2020 China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey, a fixed-effects model was employed to systematically analyze the impact of internet use (including whether they use the internet, frequency of use, and purposes of use) on the mental health of older adults. The mediating role of social networks (family networks and friend networks) was tested using the Bootstrap method.
The study found that internet use significantly reduces depression levels among older adults (coefficient = -0.440, < 0.001), with notable differences in mental health benefits based on gender and urban-rural residence. Both family networks and friend networks mediate the relationship between internet use and depression. Specifically, older adults who use the internet frequently or for interpersonal communication tend to expand their social networks, which in turn improves their mental health. Family networks exhibit a stronger mediating effect compared to friend networks. However, the positive effects of leisure and information-seeking internet activities are partially offset by the reduction in social network size.
This study highlights the complex relationship between internet use, social networks, and mental health in older adults. Significant gender and urban-rural differences exist in the impact of internet use on depression among older adults, indicating the need for tailored interventions. The findings also emphasize the importance of promoting internet use for social purposes while being mindful of the potential negative impacts of excessive digital engagement among older adults, particularly in rural areas. Additionally, social networks, especially friend networks, play an important role in enhancing the mental health benefits of internet use for older adults.
互联网使用对老年人的心理健康有显著影响，尤其是在降低抑郁水平方面。然而，其影响可能因互联网使用频率、目的、性别和城乡居住情况等因素而有所不同。本研究旨在探讨互联网使用对老年人抑郁的差异影响，探索社交网络在这些关系中的中介作用。
基于2018年和2020年中国老年社会追踪调查的面板数据，采用固定效应模型系统分析互联网使用（包括是否使用互联网、使用频率和使用目的）对老年人心理健康的影响。使用Bootstrap方法检验社交网络（家庭网络和朋友网络）的中介作用。
研究发现，互联网使用显著降低了老年人的抑郁水平（系数=-0.440，<0.001），在心理健康益处方面存在基于性别和城乡居住情况的显著差异。家庭网络和朋友网络都在互联网使用与抑郁之间的关系中起中介作用。具体而言，经常使用互联网或用于人际交流的老年人往往会扩大他们的社交网络，这反过来又改善了他们的心理健康。与朋友网络相比，家庭网络表现出更强的中介作用。然而，休闲和信息寻求类互联网活动的积极影响被社交网络规模的缩小部分抵消。
本研究强调了老年人互联网使用、社交网络和心理健康之间的复杂关系。互联网使用对老年人抑郁的影响存在显著的性别和城乡差异，表明需要进行针对性干预。研究结果还强调了促进出于社交目的使用互联网的重要性，同时要注意老年人过度参与数字活动的潜在负面影响，特别是在农村地区。此外，社交网络，尤其是朋友网络，在增强互联网使用对老年人心理健康益处方面发挥着重要作用。
