IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jagris/v13y2023i7p1462-d1201134.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The Impact of Internet Use on the Well-Being of Rural Residents

Author

Listed:
  • Longjunjiang Huang

    (School of Business Administration, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan 430073, China)

  • Xian Liang

    (School of Economics and Management, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Lishan Li

    (School of Economics and Management, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China)

  • Hui Xiao

    (School of Economics and Management, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Fangting Xie

    (School of Economics and Management, Zhejiang A & F University, Hangzhou 311300, China
    Research Academy for Rural Revitalization of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang A & F University, Hangzhou 311300, China)

Abstract

With the full penetration of the Internet, the Internet has had a great impact on the production and life of rural residents. The article takes a rural residents’ group as its research object to explore the impact mechanism. Leveraging data from the Chinese Family Panel Studies (CFPS) in 2016, we employ a multivariate ordered logit model as an empirical approach to delve into the various dimensions of Internet usage. By examining different facets of Internet utilization, we aim to assess the effects of these distinct uses on the well-being of rural residents. Furthermore, we investigate the mediating role of social capital in understanding the collective well-being of this demographic. The findings of this study are as follows: (1) The utilization of the Internet yields a positive impact on the well-being of rural residents. (2) Social networks exhibit a significant positive influence on the well-being of rural residents; social solidarity demonstrates a significant negative impact on the well-being of rural residents. Additionally, social trust is found to have a significant negative effect on the well-being of rural residents. (3) Regarding mobile phone access, we identify a positive and significant effect on the well-being of rural residents when mediated by social networks and social trust. In contrast, social mutual aid does not exhibit a significant mediating effect. Among the patterns of mobile phone usage, social network and social mutual aid within the realm of social capital emerge as intermediate variables that affect the well-being of rural residents through Internet usage. However, it is worth noting that social trust does not have a significant effect in this regard. These results contribute to our understanding of how Internet usage and social capital interact to shape the well-being of rural communities.

Suggested Citation

  • Longjunjiang Huang & Xian Liang & Lishan Li & Hui Xiao & Fangting Xie, 2023. "The Impact of Internet Use on the Well-Being of Rural Residents," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-18, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:13:y:2023:i:7:p:1462-:d:1201134
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/13/7/1462/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/13/7/1462/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. John F. Helliwell & Robert D. Putnam, 1995. "Economic Growth and Social Capital in Italy," Eastern Economic Journal, Eastern Economic Association, vol. 21(3), pages 295-307, Summer.
    2. Kavetsos, Georgios & Koutroumpis, Pantelis, 2011. "Technological affluence and subjective well-being," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 32(5), pages 742-753.
    3. Yi Yang & Tetsuo Kidokoro & Fumihiko Seta & Ziyi Wang, 2023. "Are Local Residents Benefiting from the Latest Urbanization Dynamic in China? China’s Characteristic Town Strategy from a Resident Perspective: Evidence from Two Cases in Hangzhou," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-37, February.
    4. Hong, Yan-Zhen & Chang, Hung-Hao, 2020. "Does digitalization affect the objective and subjective wellbeing of forestry farm households? Empirical evidence in Fujian Province of China," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
    5. Wenyan Hu & Yuhang Cheng & Ruoyu Du, 2022. "Effects of Overt and Relational Bullying on Adolescents’ Subjective Well-Being: The Mediating Mechanisms of Social Capital and Psychological Capital," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-12, September.
    6. Castellacci, Fulvio & Tveito, Vegard, 2018. "Internet use and well-being: A survey and a theoretical framework," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 47(1), pages 308-325.
    7. Yang Yang & Dan Zeng & Fan Yang, 2022. "Internet Use and Subjective Well-Being of the Elderly: An Analysis of the Mediating Effect Based on Social Capital," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-20, September.
    8. Michailidis, Anastasios & Partalidou, Maria & Nastis, Stefanos A. & Papadaki-Klavdianou, Aphrodite & Charatsari, Chrysanthi, 2011. "Who goes online? Evidence of internet use patterns from rural Greece," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 35(4), pages 333-343, May.
    9. Cuihong Long & Jiajun Han & Chengzhi Yi, 2020. "Does the Effect of Internet Use on Chinese Citizens’ Psychological Well-Being Differ Based on Their Hukou Category?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-21, September.
    10. Wanglin Ma & Peng Nie & Pei Zhang & Alan Renwick, 2020. "Impact of Internet use on economic well‐being of rural households: Evidence from China," Review of Development Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 24(2), pages 503-523, May.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Nicola Pontarollo & Mercy Orellana & Joselin Segovia, 2020. "The Determinants of Subjective Well-Being in a Developing Country: The Ecuadorian Case," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 21(8), pages 3007-3035, December.
    2. Fulvio Castellacci & Henrik Schwabe, 2020. "Internet, unmet aspirations and the U-shape of life," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(6), pages 1-22, June.
    3. Zou, Baoling & Mishra, Ashok K., 2022. "Engaging Information Technology in Farmland Rental Market: An Empirical Study from Rural China," 2022 Annual Meeting, July 31-August 2, Anaheim, California 322265, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    4. Ana Suárez Álvarez & María R. Vicente, 2023. "Going “beyond the GDP” in the digital economy: exploring the relationship between internet use and well-being in Spain," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-10, December.
    5. Wang, Mengmeng & Zhou, Tao, 2023. "Does smart city implementation improve the subjective quality of life? Evidence from China," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).
    6. Zhongkun Zhu & Wanglin Ma & Chenxin Leng, 2022. "ICT Adoption, Individual Income and Psychological Health of Rural Farmers in China," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 17(1), pages 71-91, February.
    7. Liang, Wanqi & Li, Wenying, 2023. "Impact of internet usage on the subjective well-being of urban and rural households: Evidence from Vietnam," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 47(3).
    8. Fulvio Castellacci & Henrik Schwabe, 2018. "Internet Use and the U-shaped relationship between Age and Well-being," Working Papers on Innovation Studies 20180215, Centre for Technology, Innovation and Culture, University of Oslo.
    9. Giacomo Degli Antoni & Chiara Franco, 2022. "The effect of technological behaviour and beliefs on subjective well-being: the role of technological infrastructure," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 32(2), pages 553-590, April.
    10. Alexandra Palm, 2020. "Mobile phone use and subjective well-being: Implications for responsible research and innovation," Working Papers on Innovation Studies 20200823, Centre for Technology, Innovation and Culture, University of Oslo.
    11. Yang Yang & Dan Zeng & Fan Yang, 2022. "Internet Use and Subjective Well-Being of the Elderly: An Analysis of the Mediating Effect Based on Social Capital," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-20, September.
    12. Xindong Xue & W. Robert Reed & Robbie C.M. van Aert, 2022. "Social Capital and Economic Growth: A Meta-Analysis," Working Papers in Economics 22/20, University of Canterbury, Department of Economics and Finance.
    13. Oasis Kodila-Tedika & Julius Agbor, 2016. "Does Trust Matter for Entrepreneurship: Evidence from a Cross-Section of Countries," Economies, MDPI, vol. 4(1), pages 1-17, March.
    14. Hans-Jürgen Engelbrecht, 2015. "A General Model of the Innovation - Subjective Well-Being Nexus," Economic Complexity and Evolution, in: Andreas Pyka & John Foster (ed.), The Evolution of Economic and Innovation Systems, edition 127, pages 69-90, Springer.
    15. Ionela Tofan & Elena Condrea, 2022. "An Analysis of Business Performance In Romania’s IT Sector," Ovidius University Annals, Economic Sciences Series, Ovidius University of Constantza, Faculty of Economic Sciences, vol. 0(2), pages 207-216, Decembrie.
    16. Fabio Sabatini, 2006. "Social Capital and Labour Productivity in Italy," Working Papers 2006.30, Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei.
    17. Joyous S. Tata & Paul E. McNamara, 2016. "Social Factors That Influence Use of ICT in Agricultural Extension in Southern Africa," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 6(2), pages 1-10, April.
    18. Stefano Bartolini & Francesco Sarracino, 2021. "Happier and Sustainable. Possibilities for a post-growth society," Department of Economics University of Siena 855, Department of Economics, University of Siena.
    19. Hong, Yan-Zhen & Su, Yi-Ju & Chang, Hung-Hao, 2023. "Analyzing the relationship between income and life satisfaction of Forest farm households - a behavioral economics approach," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 148(C).
    20. Tsegay Gebrekidan Tekleselassie, 2017. "Subjective Wellbeing and Institutions: The Case of Rural Ethiopia," Working Papers 016, Policy Studies Institute.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:13:y:2023:i:7:p:1462-:d:1201134. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.