A multi-country study has found a link between internet use and better mental health among adults aged 50 and older. Researchers from City University of Hong Kong and the University of Hong Kong analyzed data from six aging cohorts across 23 countries, including the United States, England, Europe, Israel, China, Mexico, and Brazil. The study, published in Nature Human Behaviour, involved 87,559 participants and 298,199 observations with a median follow-up of six years.
The findings showed that internet use was associated with fewer depressive symptoms, higher life satisfaction, and better self-reported health. Participants who used the internet daily or weekly reported fewer depressive symptoms compared to those who used it less frequently or not at all. In the United States, England, and China, higher frequency of internet use was consistently linked to better mental health outcomes.
The study also found that various factors such as age, marital status, socioeconomic status, physical activity, and existing health conditions influenced the relationship between internet use and mental health.
Internet use enhances mental well-being
For example, a negative association was observed in participants who were aged 65 years and older, unmarried, had lower wealth, or were physically inactive.
The researchers believe that the study’s findings are relevant to public health policies and practices aimed at promoting mental health in later life through internet use. They highlight the growing importance of digital engagement among middle-aged and older populations, especially during the pandemic. These insights contribute to the understanding of how internet use can play a role in enhancing mental well-being among older adults.
The findings may help shape future interventions focused on this age group, particularly in countries with limited internet access and mental health services. The study’s authors emphasize the need to incorporate internet use into public health policies and practices to promote mental health in later life. They also call for further research to better understand the mechanisms behind the positive association between internet use and mental health among older adults.
April Isaacs is a news contributor for DevX.com She is long-term, self-proclaimed nerd. She loves all things tech and computers and still has her first Dreamcast system. It is lovingly named Joni, after Joni Mitchell.
