Internet Use and Loneliness Among Urban and Non-Urban Chinese Older Adults: The Roles of Family Support, Friend Support, and Social Participation
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View abstract on PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.Internet use reduces loneliness in older Chinese adults, with family support and social participation acting as key mediators. These effects differ between urban and non-urban settings, highlighting the need for tailored digital interventions.
Area Of Science
- Gerontology
- Sociology
- Digital Health
Background
- Loneliness is a significant concern for aging populations globally.
- Understanding factors influencing loneliness in older adults is crucial for public health.
- The role of internet use and social support in mitigating loneliness among Chinese older adults requires further investigation.
Purpose Of The Study
- To examine the relationship between internet use and loneliness in older Chinese adults.
- To investigate the mediating roles of family support, friend support, and social participation.
- To explore differences in these associations based on urban and non-urban settings.
Main Methods
- Utilized data from the 2018 China Longitudinal Ageing Social Survey (N=10,126).
- Analyzed urban (n=3,917) and non-urban (n=6,209) samples separately.
- Employed linear regression and structural equation modeling (SEM) with path analysis.
Main Results
- Internet use demonstrated a negative association with loneliness for both urban and non-urban older adults.
- Family support and social participation significantly mediated the internet use-loneliness link in both settings.
- Friend support only mediated this association among urban older adults.
Conclusions
- Internet use can be a protective factor against loneliness for older Chinese adults.
- Family support and social participation are important mediators in this relationship.
- Digital interventions should consider the distinct characteristics of urban and non-urban older adults for effective loneliness reduction.
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