Residents' Internet use, family economic status, and self-rated health: gender-based differences

People's health is an important foundation for national development.

This study uses data from the 2021 Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS) to empirically test the impact of residents' Internet use and family economic status on self-rated health.

The empirical research results show that, first, residents' Internet use and family economic status significantly promote their self-rated health. Second, a gender difference exists in how Internet use and family economic status affect residents' self-rated health. Third, after introducing the interaction term between residents' Internet use and family economic status, it is found that family economic status negatively regulates the promotion of Internet use on residents' self-rated health, suggesting a substitution effect between these two factors. Finally, the heterogeneity test finds that the effects of Internet use and family economic status vary by region, registered residence, and age group.

This study suggests that the government can further improve Internet penetration, create a good Internet access environment, strengthen skills training, and enhance Internet content construction. These measures can amplify the positive effects of Internet use and family economic status on residents' self-rated health.