scholarly journals Internet Use and Depressive Symptoms Among Older Adults in China

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hua-lei Yang ◽  
Shuo Zhang ◽  
Si-qing Zhang ◽  
Lin Xie ◽  
Yuan-yang Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Commercial Activity ◽  
Frequency Of Contact

This study investigated the effect of using the Internet on depression symptoms of older Chinese, based on 7,801 adults aged over 60 years from the 2018 China Family Panel Studies. Results showed that the elderly who used the Internet reported lower depression scores, and the more frequent they use Internet, the lower their depression scores. Moreover, using the Internet for social contact and entertainment decreased the depression scores of the older adults, but when using Internet for learn, work, and commercial activity, the relief of depressive symptoms disappeared. Therelief of depression symptoms through Internet use were heterogeneous among different groups: the elderly aged 60–70, women, rural residents, and those with lower education attainment. Moreover, Internet use decreased the depression scores by increasing the frequency of contact with their children and increasing the importance of their enjoyment of life. According to the relief of depression by using Internet reasonably, policies should be designed to ensure that all ages could have easy access to the Internet.

The Relationship Between Internet Use and Depression Among Middle and Older Adults With Self-Reported Vision Impairment: Case-Control Study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenbo He ◽  
Peiyi Li ◽  
Yinyan Gao ◽  
Jiuhong You ◽  
Xing Qu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Health Seeking Behaviors ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

BACKGROUND The number of middle and older adults using the internet is increasing in China. Internet-based eHealth and mHealth technologies are also gradually changing people's lifestyles. In recent years, as visual impairment (VI) in the elderly has become increasingly prominent, we have focused our research on the relationship between internet use and depression in the middle and older adults with VI. OBJECTIVE This study examined (1) whether the rate of internet use and depression among middle and older adults with VI are different from the matched sample of peers without VI, and (2) associations among VI, internet use and depression. METHODS Data were obtained from the wave 4 of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) in 2018. Middle and older adults (aged≥45 years) with self-reported VI were matched with middle and older adults without VI, in a 1:1 ratio, based on age, sex, health status, and number of chronic diseases (N=15,398). Descriptive statistics and logistic regression models were used to examine the relationship of internet use and depression among middle and older adults with self-reported VI. RESULTS A total of 7699 middle and older adults reported VI in this study, 47.6 % of them were male and 9.8% aged ≥75. Those with internet use were significantly more socioeconomically advantaged than those who do not, and those who with VI were less likely to use the internet (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.67, 95% CI 0.61- 0.74). People who have VI or blindness were associated with greater odds of depressive symptoms/depression (aOR 1.25, 95% CI 1.16 – 1.33, and aOR 1.48, 95% CI 1.22 – 1.80, respectively), and those who use the internet was associated with lower odds of depressive symptoms/depression (aOR 0.74, 95% CI 0.66 – 0.82). Some of the health seeking behaviors were also associated with higher odds of internet use and depressive symptoms or depression. CONCLUSIONS Compared with peers without VI, middle and older adults with VI are less likely to use the internet. Internet use may be an effective way to relieve depression, especially for VI groups, eHealth and mHealth can promote disease monitoring, diagnosis and treatment effectively. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the training and guidance of internet use for middle and older adults, especially for those with VI.

Impacts of Internet Use on Senior Citizens’ Depressive Symptoms in China: Urban-Rural Differences (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai Sun ◽  
Yuxiang Chris Zhao ◽  
Xiaofeng Tao ◽  
Junjie Zhou ◽  
Qianqian Liu
Keyword(s):  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Propensity Score ◽  
Propensity Score Matching ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Senior Citizens ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Difference In Difference ◽  
Urban Rural

BACKGROUND Although existing studies report that Internet use can help senior citizens coping with depressive symptoms, so far limited studies have explored the impacts of Internet use on urban and rural senior citizens’ depression symptoms. OBJECTIVE This study aims to address the above gap and explore the impacts of Internet use on urban and rural senior citizens’ depressive symptoms in China. METHODS We use the data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). We use the panel-data regression to examine the relationship between Internet use and depression. In order to obtain robust evidence, we built a treatment group by selecting senior citizens who did not use the Internet in 2013 (Wave 2) but did use it in 2015 (Wave 4), and a control group by selecting senior citizens who did not use the Internet in either Wave based on the propensity score matching (PSM) approach. We then examined the impacts of Internet use with linear regression analysis based on the difference-in-difference (DID) approach. RESULTS The empirical results indicate that Internet use could significantly alleviate rural senior citizens’ depression (β=-2.187, P=.006). The Frequency of Online have consistent effect on depression (β= -1.091, P=.001). In addition, the impacts of Internet use on rural senior citizens’ three specific depressive symptoms are significant (“I had trouble keeping my mind on what I was doing”, β= -0.537, P=.008; “I felt depressed”, β= -0.315, P=.014; “I felt everything I did was an effort”, β= -0.355, P=.021). The propensity score matching and difference-in-difference analysis is consistent with the results of panel date regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS Urban-rural differences exist in the impacts of Internet use on senior citizens’ depressive symptoms. Rural senior citizens’ depressive symptoms can be alleviated by Internet use and the frequency of Internet use. Policy makers should provide rural senior citizens more opportunities to access the Internet and more Internet-skill trainings to enable them to better utilize the Internet.

scholarly journals INTERNET USE AND LONELINESS OF OLDER ADULTS OVER TIME: THE MEDIATION EFFECT OF SOCIAL CONTACT

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S194-S194
Author(s):  
Kexin Yu ◽  
Kexin Yu ◽  
Shinyi Wu ◽  
Iris Chi
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older People ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Total Effect ◽  
Mediation Effect ◽  
Health And Retirement Study ◽  
Longitudinal Association ◽  
Retirement Study ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Internet is increasingly popular among older adults and have changed interpersonal interactions. However, it remains controversial whether older people are more or less lonely with internet use. This paper tests the longitudinal association of internet use and loneliness among older people. One pathway that explains the association, the mediation effect of social contact, was examined. Data from the 2006, 2010 and 2014 waves of Health and Retirement Study was used. Hierarchical liner modeling results showed internet use was related to decreased loneliness over 12-year period of time (b=-0.044, p<.001). Internet use was associated with more social contact with family and friends overtime (b=0.261, p<.001), social contact was related to less perceived loneliness longitudinally (b=0.097, p<.001). The total effect of internet use on loneliness is -0.054 and the mediated effect is -0.025. The findings imply that online activities can be effective for reducing loneliness for older people through increased social contact.

scholarly journals Lifestyle Segmentation to Explain the Online Health Information–Seeking Behavior of Older Adults: Representative Telephone Survey

10.2196/15099 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. e15099 ◽  
Author(s):  
Winja Weber ◽  
Anne Reinhardt ◽  
Constanze Rossmann
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Information Seeking Behavior ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Online Health Information ◽  
Sociodemographic Variables ◽  
Seeking Behavior ◽  
Health Related

Background As a result of demographic changes, the number of people aged 60 years and older has been increasing steadily. Therefore, older adults have become more important as a target group for health communication efforts. Various studies show that online health information sources have gained importance among younger adults, but we know little about the health-related internet use of senior citizens in general and in particular about the variables explaining their online health-related information–seeking behavior. Media use studies indicate that in addition to sociodemographic variables, lifestyle factors might play a role in this context. Objective The aim of this study was to examine older people’s health-related internet use. Our study focused on the explanatory potential of lifestyle types over and above sociodemographic variables to predict older adults’ internet use for health information. Methods A telephone survey was conducted with a random sample of German adults aged 60 years and older (n=701) that was quota-allocated by gender, age, educational status, and degree of urbanity of their place of residence. Results The results revealed that participants used the internet infrequently (mean 1.82 [SD 1.07]), and medical personnel (mean 2.89 [SD 1.11]), family and friends (mean 2.86 [SD 1.21]), and health brochures (mean 2.85 [SD 1.21]) were their main sources of health information. A hierarchical cluster analysis based on values, interests, and leisure time activities revealed three different lifestyle types for adults aged over 60 years: the Sociable Adventurer, the Average Family Person, and the Uninterested Inactive. After adding these types as second-step predictors in a hierarchical regression model with sociodemographic variables (step 1), the explained variance increased significantly (R2=.02, P=.001), indicating that the Average Family Person and the Sociable Adventurer use the internet more often for health information than the Uninterested Inactive, over and above their sociodemographic attributes. Conclusions Our findings indicate that the internet still plays only a minor role in the health information–seeking behavior of older German adults. Nevertheless, there are subgroups including younger, more active, down-to-earth and family-oriented males that may be reached with online health information. Our findings suggest that lifestyle types should be taken into account when predicting health-related internet use behavior.

scholarly journals Internet addiction among engineering students in Belagavi city: cross sectional study

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 1488
Author(s):  
Ravikiran Kamate ◽  
Sulakshna Baliga ◽  
M. D. Mallapur
Keyword(s):  
Internet Addiction ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Behavioral Pattern ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional

Background: Internet addiction is not clinical diagnosis, but a potentially pathological behavioral pattern with symptoms: a loss of control over the behavior, preoccupation with the Internet, using the Internet to modify mood, and withdrawal symptoms. Easy access and low cost of Internet packs- are main cause of development of increased internet use in India. Internet addiction – factors like gender, environmental factors, socioeconomic status, etc. have effect on internet use.Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted during January 2016 to February 2016. Data was collected among 500 engineering students of four engineering colleges of Belagavi city using young's questionnaire. Analysis was performed using SPS 20. Chi-square applied as statistical test of significance for the association between age, sex, residence, SES and schooling. P<0.01 was considered to be statistically significant.Results: The present study revealed that 16.2 and 6.2% of participants had moderate and severe form of internet addiction respectively. With increase in age prevalence of addiction increased. Internet addiction was more among Males when compared to females. Addiction was seen more in students whose both parents were working.Conclusions: Internet addiction is an emerging form of addiction among students with males more than females mostly among engineering students who are dependent on internet for their work, carrier and completion of course Hence it's time to develop comprehensive intervention approach to promote healthy and safe internet use from family, college and peers.

scholarly journals Determinants of internet use by the elderly in Spain: time dedicated to search and communications

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-26
Author(s):  
Juan Carlos Campaña ◽  
Raquel Ortega
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Individual Health ◽  
Knowing That ◽  
Online Activities

Internet use reduces the isolation or exclusion of individuals in specific socio-economic groups and, consequently, increases the quality of life, with this being especially the case for the elderly. Knowing that the elderly are becoming particularly active in dedicating time to the Internet, we provide evidence of the time that Spanish individuals aged 65 and older dedicate to two online activities: search and communications. We estimate a SUR model with data from the STUS for 2009-2010. Our main results indicate that being male has a positive influence on the time devoted to search on the Internet. Furthermore, time devoted to both Internet activities increases with higher levels of education and at the highest level of individual health.

Internet Use among Older Adults

2013 ◽  
pp. 124-141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yiwei Chen ◽  
Bob Lee ◽  
Robert M. Kirk
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Emotional Needs ◽  
Cognitive Limitations ◽  
Selective Optimization With Compensation ◽  
Emotional Processes ◽  
Age Related

Older adults (65 and above) are the fastest growing population to use computers and the Internet in their everyday lives. The primary purpose of this chapter is to use a Lifespan Developmental Perspective to examine both the constraints and the opportunities of Internet use among older adults. Given age-related changes in physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional processes, older adults may encounter different constraints in Internet use from younger adults. The Selective Optimization with Compensation model is used to explore opportunities for older adults in using the Internet to improve quality of life. Future product designs and training programs should take into account older adults’ physical and cognitive limitations, as well as their socio-emotional needs. It is also recommended that social policies should help older adults overcome these constraints in order to reduce age-related digital divide and promote quality of life for older adults.

scholarly journals DOES CHANGE IN INTERNET USE PREDICT PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING AMONG OLDER ADULTS?

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S326-S326
Author(s):  
Ronald W Berkowsky
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Personal Growth ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Internet Users ◽  
Additional Control ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Previous work focusing on the relationship between Internet use and quality of life among older adults (aged 65+) has found evidence of various positive impacts. This project expands upon this work by examining the relationship between Internet use and measures of psychological well-being (PWB) including autonomy, environmental mastery, personal growth, positive relations with others, purpose in life, and self-acceptance. The analytic sample is derived from two waves of data (Time 1 = 2004, Time 2 = 2011) taken from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study and includes a sample of older adults aged~65 at Time 1 (N = 4943). Participants were separated into four categories: those who did not use the Internet at Time 1 or 2, those who used the Internet at Time 1 only, those who used the Internet at Time 2 only, and those who used the Internet at both Time 1 and 2. Regression analyses were performed with the Time 2 PWB measures as the outcomes and the Internet use categories as the primary predictors. Results indicate that while continuous Internet users typically reported higher PWB scores compared to non-users, those who stopped use between Time 1 and 2 also reported higher scores and those who started use between Time 1 and 2 reported lower scores. These results generally held when introducing Time 1 PWB measures as controls, suggesting changes in Internet use may affect PWB but not necessarily in the predicted directions. Additional control variables, potential explanations, and implications for future research are discussed.

Active and wealthy Brazilian older adults: identity and consumption motivations

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 633-642 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andre Fregolente ◽  
Irene Junqueira ◽  
Priscilla Yung Medeiros
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Identity Construction ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Marketing Strategies ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Building Relationships ◽  
Older Consumers

Purpose This paper aims to explore the relationship between identity construction and consumption motivation of the socially active and wealthy Brazilian older adults, applying a new approach that focuses on important circumstances and life events retrieved through storytelling. Design/methodology/approach Using in-depth semi-structured interviews with socially active and wealthy older Brazilian consumers, this study adopts “Noting, Collecting and Thinking about Things” (NCT) and two-cycle coding methods to explore the qualitative data. Findings The results indicate the need to explore identity construction and consumption motivation in an integrated matter. Life circumstances and events help explain older consumers’ identities and its impact on main consumption motivations, which include self-expression, a need for social contact and relationships, attachment, detachment, nostalgia, knowledge appreciation and technology affinity, among others. An integrated approach allows for the identification of new consumption motivations. Practical implications The main consumption motivations identified in this study help delineate some new marketing strategies targeted to older consumers, such as taking into account the importance of building relationships with older customers, adopting family references to promote products and services, taking into account the value older customers place on technology usage and being connected with current matters and treating the elderly as a heterogeneous group, among others. Originality/value This paper focuses on an attractive and yet unexplored segment of older consumers in the literature, contextualizing their identity and consumption motivations in an integrated fashion, rather than studying these concepts in isolation. New marketing strategies targeted to the older consumers are identified.

scholarly journals The Blurred Line between Physical Ageing and Mental Health in Older Adults: Implications for the Measurement of Depression

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 117955731988563
Author(s):  
Cassie M Hazell ◽  
Helen E Smith ◽  
Christina J Jones
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Discriminant Validity ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Physical Ageing ◽  
Conceptual Similarity ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
General Adult Population

Objectives: Depression in older adults is assessed using measures validated in the general adult population. However, such measures may be inappropriate in the elderly due to the similarities between ageing and the symptoms of depression. This article discusses whether these measures are fit for the purpose and the implications of using inappropriate tools. Methods: A commentary on measuring depression in older adults. Results: Depression symptoms may be mistaken for signs of ageing. Several measures of depression include items that may have a physical cause and thus generate measurement error. Those studies that have assessed the psychometric properties of depression measures in older adults have failed to conduct appropriate assessments of discriminant validity. Discussion: Research is needed to determine whether the conceptual similarity between some symptoms of depression and the effects of ageing translate to factorial similarity. If so, there may be a need for a specific depression measure for older adults that prioritises psychological symptoms.

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