Association Between Smartphone Use and Depressive Symptoms Among Chinese Older Adults

This study was performed to clarify the relationship between smartphone usage and depression risk among older adults. We also examined smartphone use variations, population heterogeneity, and the mechanisms behind smartphone-related depression symptoms. A total of 10,997 older adults (mean age = 84.31 years) from a national cohort (Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity and Happy Family Study) in China were included. Smartphone use was measured by use status (yes/no) and contents. Among eight dichotomous questions about contents of smartphones, chatting, shopping, traveling, and entertainment were classified as routine-oriented activities. In contrast, health management, financial management, and learning were classified as functional/cognitive-oriented activities. Thus, participants were categorized into four groups, including not using a smartphone, using smartphones both for routine-oriented and functional/cognitive-oriented activities, only for routine-oriented activities, and others. Smartphone users had lower 10-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale scores (β = -0.62; p < 0.001) and a reduced depression risk (odds ratio = 0.77; p < 0.001) compared with nonusers. Furthermore, those using smartphones for routine-oriented and functional/cognitive-oriented activities had even lower risks than those using them only for routine-oriented activities. Second, using smartphones was more sensitive to alleviating depression among older adults aged <80 years or living in rural areas. Third, mediation analyses suggested that using smartphones may be associated with depressive symptoms through communicating with children regularly. Our findings suggest that smartphone use may have a positive effect on mental health, particularly among those who engage in diverse routine-oriented and functional/cognitive-oriented activities. Smartphone benefits are more evident in younger seniors and rural residents, indicating a need for targeted interventions for these groups.