Smart device ownership and depressive symptoms among older adults: evidence from China

Against the backdrop of rapid digital technological advancement and the increasing diffusion of smart devices among older adults, understanding the implications of smart device for later-life well-being has become increasingly important. However, evidence remains limited on whether associations with depressive symptoms differ across types of smart devices and on the pathways linking smart device to depressive symptoms.

Using pooled cross-sectional data from the 2018 and 2020 waves of the China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey (CLASS), this study estimated the association between smart device ownership and depressive symptoms among older adults using OLS regression models, with a final analytical sample of 12,269 observations. Sensitivity analyses were conducted using fixed-effects models, a 2020 subsample analysis, instrumental variable estimation, and propensity score matching. Mediation effect tests examined potential mechanisms involving social networks, offline activity participation, and social adaptation, while subgroup analyses were used to assess heterogeneity.

Smart device ownership was significantly associated with fewer depressive symptoms among older adults, with substantial variation across device functions and specific device types. Monitoring and assistive devices showed more consistent negative associations, whereas care devices showed the opposite pattern. This functional variation suggests that the association depends not only on whether older adults own smart devices, but also on the match between device functions and owners' needs. Social networks and social adaptation appeared to be relevant pathways, and the negative association was more evident among older adults without functional limitations.

Functional differences across devices highlight the importance of aligning functions with older adults' needs when considering the mental health implications of smart device ownership. As population aging deepens, age-friendly digital inclusion policies should move beyond an access-oriented perspective and place greater emphasis on matching device functions with older adults' health needs, functional capacity, and social contexts.