An international study has identified a link between internet use and reduced depressive symptoms in adults aged 50 and over, conducted by researchers from the City University of Hong Kong and the University of Hong Kong.
The analysis included participants from 23 countries, revealing a positive association between internet use and mental health.
Mental health problems among middle-aged and older adults are a major global public health concern. In 2019, about 14% of people aged 55 and over had a mental disorder, including depression, contributing to 2.7% of disability-adjusted life years worldwide, according to the study Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors.
Internet use, beneficial for the elderly
Published in the magazine Nature Human Behaviourthe study used linear mixed models and meta-analyses to analyze data from six aging cohorts from 23 middle- and high-income countries.
The data included 87,559 participants, 298,199 observations and a median follow-up of six years. The cohorts originated from Health and Retirement Study (YOUR), English Longitudinal Study of Aging (Anglia), Survey of Health, Aging and Retirement in Europe (Europe and Israel), China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (China), Mexican Health and Aging Study (Mexico) and from Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (Brazil).
On analysis, internet use was associated with fewer depressive symptoms and better self-rated health. People who used the Internet daily or weekly reported better mental health than those who used it rarely or not at all.
What does this study help us with?
In the US and England, where genetic data were available, the positive association held regardless of genetic risk. Also, in the US, England and China, more frequent internet use was correlated with better mental health outcomes.
The negative association between Internet use and depressive symptoms was more pronounced in participants who were over 65 years old, unmarried, with infrequent social contact, higher education, lower wealth, less physical activity, or chronic conditions.
Internet use, which has become essential for middle-aged and older populations, especially during the pandemic, can significantly contribute to improving mental health. The findings of the study can influence public policy and health practices to promote well-being through digital technology, writes Phys.org.
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Source: www.descopera.ro
