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Impact of Internet Use on Mental Health among Elderly Individuals: A Difference-in-Differences Study Based on 2016–2018 CFPS Data

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Listed:
  • Huan Zhang

    (School of Social Development and Public Policy, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China)

  • Hongyang Wang

    (School of Social Development and Public Policy, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China)

  • Huiyu Yan

    (School of Social Development and Public Policy, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China)

  • Xiaoyu Wang

    (School of Social Development and Public Policy, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China)

Abstract

The number of elderly Internet users has increased significantly in the past few years. However, the impact of Internet use on mental health remains unclear. In this study, we performed a difference-in-differences analysis using data from the 2016 and 2018 waves of the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) to evaluate the impact of Internet usage on mental health among elderly individuals. A total of 5031 validated respondents were included to explore the relationship between Internet use and reduced levels of depression as well as improved life satisfaction among elderly individuals. The results showed that Internet use significantly reduced depression levels. Unexpectedly, Internet use was not found to improve life satisfaction. Moreover, discontinuing Internet use was not significantly associated with improvements in depression or life satisfaction. More research is needed to fully elucidate the relationship between Internet use and depression levels, as well as life satisfaction among elderly individuals.

Suggested Citation

  • Huan Zhang & Hongyang Wang & Huiyu Yan & Xiaoyu Wang, 2021. "Impact of Internet Use on Mental Health among Elderly Individuals: A Difference-in-Differences Study Based on 2016–2018 CFPS Data," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2021:i:1:p:101-:d:709199
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. 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.
    2. Shannon AngMA & Tuo-Yu ChenPhD & Deborah CarrPhDDecision Editor, 2019. "Going Online to Stay Connected: Online Social Participation Buffers the Relationship Between Pain and Depression," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 74(6), pages 1020-1031.
    3. Chris Gilleard & Martin Hyde & Paul Higgs, 2007. "Community and Communication in the Third Age: The Impact of Internet and Cell Phone Use on Attachment to Place in Later Life in England," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 62(4), pages 276-283.
    4. Heckman, James, 2013. "Sample selection bias as a specification error," Applied Econometrics, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA), vol. 31(3), pages 129-137.
    5. Irina Paula Doica & Dan Nicolae Florescu & Carmen Nicoleta Oancea & Adina Turcu-Stiolica & Mihaela-Simona Subtirelu & Gindrovel Dumitra & Ion Rogoveanu & Dan Ionut Gheonea & Bogdan Silviu Ungureanu, 2021. "Telemedicine Chronic Viral Hepatitis C Treatment during the Lockdown Period in Romania: A Pilot Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-9, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Shouchuang Zhang & Ting Wang & Lanyue Zhang & Yuehui Wei & Weiyan Jian & Jing Guo, 2024. "Relationship between social inequality perception patterns and depressive symptoms among Chinese adults: A national representative longitudinal study," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 70(5), pages 933-944, August.
    2. Frank Kyei-Arthur, 2024. "Prevalence and predictors of internet use among Ghanaian older adults: evidence from the Ghana 2021 Population and Housing Census," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-9, December.

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