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Migration Status, Internet Use, and Social Participation among Middle-Aged and Older Adults in China: Consequences for Depression

Author

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  • Qian Liu

    (School of Public Administration, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China)

  • Haimin Pan

    (Department of Sociology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China)

  • Yuanyuan Wu

    (School of Public Administration, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China)

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the underlying relationship between migration status and depressive symptoms among middle-aged and older adults in China. Data were derived from three waves of panel data (2011, 2013, and 2015) from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. Two-level regression models and generalized structural equation modeling were run to fit the data. The results showed that migration status of the respondents could ameliorate their depression ( β = −0.02, p < 0.01), so did internet use ( β = −0.02, p < 0.001), and social participation ( β = −0.06, p < 0.001). The indirect effects of migration status on depression through internet use and of internet use on depression through social participation existed. The effects of migration status, internet use, and social participation in decreasing depression were discussed. Provided the associations among migration status, internet use, social participation, and depression, attention should be paid on increasing protective aspects of migration among middle-aged and older adults, such as internet use and social participation, to enhance their mental health.

Suggested Citation

  • Qian Liu & Haimin Pan & Yuanyuan Wu, 2020. "Migration Status, Internet Use, and Social Participation among Middle-Aged and Older Adults in China: Consequences for Depression," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-13, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:16:p:6007-:d:400689
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Tien Ha Duong, My & Nguyen, Quyen Le Hoang Thuy To & Nguyen, Phong Thanh, 2022. "Measurement Quality of Life of Rural to Urban Migrants in Ho Chi Minh City by Using Partial Least Square Structural Equation Model," MPRA Paper 116777, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised Oct 2022.
    2. Zhang, Lixia & Li, Shaoting & Ren, Yanjun, 2024. "Does internet use benefit the mental health of older adults? Empirical evidence from the China health and retirement longitudinal study," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 10(3), pages 1-15.
    3. Dan Ma & Hao Yuan, 2021. "Neighborhood Environment, Internet Use and Mental Distress among Older Adults: The Case of Shanghai, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-12, March.
    4. Junfeng Jiang & Jiang Song, 2022. "Health Consequences of Online Social Capital among Middle-Aged and Older Adults in China," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 17(4), pages 2277-2297, August.

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