Internet Use and Life Satisfaction Among Chinese Older Adults: the Mediating Effects of Social Interaction

Overview

Journal Curr Psychol

Publisher Springer

Specialty Psychology

Date 2023 Feb 23

PMID 36819750

Authors

Xinfeng Cheng

Tingshuai Ge

Theodore D Cosco

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Internet use has been suggested to have a crucial effect on older adults' quality of life; however, few studies have investigated the underlying mechanisms in the relationship between internet use and life satisfaction among older adults. Employing multiple linear regression models and mediation analysis with 2019 Chinese Social Survey (CSS) data, this study analyzed the associations between the internet use and life satisfaction of Chinese older adults. Additionally, it explored the mediating role of social interaction, including online and offline social interactions. The results showed that internet use was positively associated with older adults' life satisfaction, and offline social interaction significantly mediated internet use. Our findings indicate that internet use could improve older adults' quality of life by promoting offline social interaction. Therefore, the government, communities, and families should create conditions for older adults to integrate into online society and participate in offline social interaction.

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