Impact of Internet Use on Mental Health among Elderly Individuals: A Difference-in-Differences Study Based on 2016–2018 CFPS Data

Huan Zhang, Hongyang Wang, Huiyu Yan and Xiaoyu Wang
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Huan Zhang: School of Social Development and Public Policy, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
Hongyang Wang: School of Social Development and Public Policy, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
Huiyu Yan: School of Social Development and Public Policy, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
Xiaoyu Wang: School of Social Development and Public Policy, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 19, issue 1, 1-13

Abstract: The number of elderly Internet users has increased significantly in the past few years. However, the impact of Internet use on mental health remains unclear. In this study, we performed a difference-in-differences analysis using data from the 2016 and 2018 waves of the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) to evaluate the impact of Internet usage on mental health among elderly individuals. A total of 5031 validated respondents were included to explore the relationship between Internet use and reduced levels of depression as well as improved life satisfaction among elderly individuals. The results showed that Internet use significantly reduced depression levels. Unexpectedly, Internet use was not found to improve life satisfaction. Moreover, discontinuing Internet use was not significantly associated with improvements in depression or life satisfaction. More research is needed to fully elucidate the relationship between Internet use and depression levels, as well as life satisfaction among elderly individuals.

Keywords: elderly; Internet; life satisfaction; depression level; difference-in-differences method (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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