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Hou B, Wu Y, Huang Y. Physical exercise and mental health among older adults: the mediating role of social competence. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1385166. [PMID: 38962779 PMCID: PMC11219581 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1385166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Healthy aging is crucial to the quality of life of older adults, of which mental health is an essential part. Physical exercise strongly affects their mental health and can alleviate psychological problems to a certain extent. Nevertheless, the correlation between physical exercise and the mental health of older adults individuals, as well as the underlying mechanism by which physical exercise impacts mental health, remains rather ambiguous. Methods We utilized multiple linear regression models to investigate the relationship between physical activity and mental health in 3,240 persons aged 60 and up. The propensity score matching (PSM) method was used to assess the robustness of the regression results. In addition, sequential recursive models were employed to investigate the mediating role of social competence in the link between physical activity and mental health. Results and discussion We discovered a strong favorable association between physical exercise and mental health, which was mediated by social competence. Furthermore, the effect of physical exercise on mental health differed across older persons from various socioeconomic backgrounds. Conclusion Older adults should strengthen their understanding of the role of physical exercise. Sports organizations that serve older adults by providing resources and services to help them maintain physical fitness and by hosting sports activities and competitions according to their needs should be established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Hou
- School of Cultural Tourism and Public Administration, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yuxin Wu
- School of Management, Yang-En University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Yuqi Huang
- School of Cultural Tourism and Public Administration, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
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Wang Y, Chen H. Effects of mobile Internet use on the health of middle-aged and older adults: evidences from China health and retirement longitudinal study. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:1490. [PMID: 38834959 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-18916-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The rapid development of digital technology has radically changed people's lives. Simultaneously, as the population is rapidly aging, academic research is focusing on the use of Internet technology to improve middle-aged and older people's health, particularly owing to the popularity of mobile networks, which has further increased the population's accessibility to the Internet. However, related studies have not yet reached a consensus. Herein, empirical analysis of the influence of mobile Internet use on the subjective health and chronic disease status of individuals in their Middle Ages and above was conducted utilizing ordered logit, propensity score matching (PSM), and ordered probit models with data from the 2020 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. The study aimed to provide a theoretical basis and reference for exploring technological advances to empower the development of a healthy Chinese population and to advance the process of healthy aging. The health of middle-aged and older adults mobile Internet users was greatly improved, according to our findings. Further, the use of mobile Internet by these persons resulted in improvements to both their self-assessed health and the state of their chronic diseases. As per the findings of the heterogeneity analysis, the impact of mobile Internet use was shown to be more pronounced on the well-being of middle-aged persons aged 45-60 years compared to those aged ≥ 60 years. Further, the endogeneity test revealed that the PSM model could better eliminate bias in sample selection. The results suggest that the estimates are more robust after eliminating endogeneity, and that failure to disentangle sample selectivity bias would overestimate not only the facilitating effect of mobile Internet use on the self-assessed health impacts of middle-aged and older adults, but also the ameliorating effect of mobile Internet use on the chronic diseases of middle-aged and older adults. The results of the mechanistic analysis suggest that social engagement is an important mediating mechanism between mobile Internet use and the health of middle-aged and older adults. This implies that mobile Internet use increases opportunities for social participation among middle-aged and older adults, thereby improving their health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wang
- School of Humanities and Management, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, 410208, China
| | - Hong Chen
- School of Administration and Law, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, China.
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Dongping X, Rengui G, Yangming H, Zan H, Hua X. Neighborhood effects on the health of elderly persons: evidence from China. BMC Geriatr 2023; 23:879. [PMID: 38129769 PMCID: PMC10734158 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-023-04609-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Presently, global aging has become increasingly serious, whereas the health concerns brought by aging have become a public issue that warrants an urgent solution from all countries across the world. Therefore, this research paper discusses the influence of neighborhood health on elderly individuals' health, and extending a realistic basis for the other economies to improve the neighborhood environment and promote the health of the elderly. METHODS Based on the data of CHARLS2018, this research paper adopts the samples that fulfill the study requirements (N = 7326). we constructed a comprehensive research framework integrating oprobit regression model, heterogeneity analysis, conditional mixed process(CMP)robustness testing, Furthermore, the KHB decomposition method is implemented to ascertain the influential mechanism of NMH and NPH on the mental- and physical health of elderly persons. RESULTS The oprobit regression model analysis indicates that NMH 0.434 and NPH 0.550 exert positive influences on the elderly's mental- and physical health. Meanwhile, the effects of conditional mixed process on NMH and NPH stand at 0.381 and4.372, which are different from the oprobit regression results; thereby, indicating the existence of endogeneity. Afterward, KHB mediating effect confirms that Internet use, gift reciprocity, and charity activity contribute 30.21% and 16.83% to mental- and physical health, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Firstly, the NMH and NPH demonstrate a positive influence on the mental- and physical health of the elder population. However, there exist heterogeneous differences. Secondly, the conditional mixed process deals with the endogeneity of NMH and NPH. Thirdly, social integration, social interaction, and social engagement serve as significant transmission mechanisms for the influences of NMH and NPH on the health of elderly persons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Dongping
- College of Public Administration and Law, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
| | - Gong Rengui
- School of Public Management and Law, Anhui University of Technology, Ma'anshan, China
| | - Hu Yangming
- School of Public Administration, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China.
| | - Hu Zan
- Hengyang Medical School, The Affiliated Changsha Central Hospital, University of South China, Changsha, China
| | - Xiang Hua
- Hengyang Medical School, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Changsha County, Changsha, China
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Shengyu G, Liu F, Wu Q. Identifying risk factors affecting exercise behavior among overweight or obese individuals in China. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1122473. [PMID: 37427276 PMCID: PMC10325830 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1122473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The disease burden caused by obesity has increased significantly in China. Less than 30% of those who are obese meet the weekly physical activity standards recommended by the WHO. Risk factors that influence exercise behavior in people with obesity remain unclear. Methods Based on the survey from the Chinese General Social Survey program (CGSS) in 2017, 3,331 subjects were identified and enrolled in the univariate and multiple probit regression models. We aimed to identify the association between SRH and the exercise behavior of obese people and further explore the influencing factors of active physical activity in this group of people. Results The proportion of active physical activity in obese people was 25%. Groups with better SRH, higher education and income were more likely to participate in sports. Obese people who lived in rural areas, were unmarried or divorced, or fell within the age range of 35-40 had a significantly lower percentage of engagement in active physical activity. Conclusions The proportion of people with obesity who meet the WHO recommendation for physical activity in China is not ideal. Health promotion programs for those who are obese need to be further strengthened and targeted, especially for rural areas, low-income families, and middle-aged obese people.
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Rouvinen H, Sormunen M, Kunttu K, Turunen H. Internet, studying and daily rhythm: health symptoms among higher education students. Int J Adolesc Med Health 2023; 35:219-226. [PMID: 36947850 DOI: 10.1515/ijamh-2022-0109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Excessive Internet use is a health concern among higher education students leading to reduced academic performance and problems in everyday life. This study aimed to explore the relationship between health and problems of studying and daily rhythm caused by time spent online among students (n=3,050). METHODS A cross-sectional survey was carried out. The data were analyzed using descriptive and chi-square tests and logistic regression analyses. RESULTS Findings indicated that one fifth of students reported having problems of studying and daily rhythm caused by time spent online. Psychological health symptoms such as anxiety (p<0.001) and physical health symptoms including lower back problems (p<0.001) were associated with these problems. According to the logistic regression analyses, problems of studying and daily rhythm caused by time spent online and higher amount of Internet use by time were associated with psychological and physical health symptoms. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that problems of studying and daily rhythm and spending more time online are related to health symptoms among the students. The study's findings can be used from a prevention standpoint for early identification and further to identify the need for seeking professional treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Rouvinen
- Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Marjorita Sormunen
- Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | | | - Hannele Turunen
- Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
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Yan Y, Deng Y, Igartua JJ, Song X. Does Internet Use Promote Subjective Well-Being? Evidence from the Different Age Groups Based on CGSS 2017 Data. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:2897. [PMID: 36833592 PMCID: PMC9957192 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20042897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Mobile Internet technology has developed so rapidly that the Internet has become indispensable in everyday life. There is a continuous debate about the relationship between internet use and subjective well-being. In contrast to observing whether one has Internet access, this paper focuses on three dimensions of Internet usage: frequency of use, online relationship size, and Internet proficiency. Based on the Chinese nationwide data collected in 2017, the results of the ordinary least squares regression model demonstrate that Internet use has a significant positive association with subjective well-being. In addition, this study also discovers that the effect of Internet use on the subjective well-being of individuals of different ages is heterogeneous; middle-aged individuals benefit from more frequent Internet use and larger-scale networks; the young and older adults benefit from organizing communication in groups. The results of this study can provide targeted suggestions for improving the subjective well-being of different age groups in Internet use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yurong Yan
- School of Journalism and Communication, Northwest University of Political Science and Law, Xi’an 710122, China
| | - Yuying Deng
- Department of Sociology and Communication, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Juan-José Igartua
- Department of Sociology and Communication, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Xiagang Song
- School of Law, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832000, China
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E Y, Yang J, Niu L, Lu C. The impact of internet use on health status among older adults in China: The mediating role of social support. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1108096. [PMID: 36908418 PMCID: PMC9992883 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1108096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background With the popularization of the Internet, the use of the Internet is becoming more and more important in the daily life of older adults. However, previous research mainly focuses on Internet use and health in general, and the mechanism of this effect remains to be studied. To bridge this gap, this study aims to explore the mediational effects of social support between Internet use and health among older adults in China. Methods The data used in this article are from the 2021 Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS). Social support is divided into two aspects and four dimensions: informal social support (relatives support, friends support, neighbors support) and formal social support (social insurance). This article uses the nested multivariate OLS regression models to analyze the impact of Internet use on health. Furthermore, Finally, SPSS macro PROCESS is applied to test their mediation effects. Results Informal social support positively influenced the health status among older adults, while formal social support did not. Among the three types of informal social support, relatives support and friends support significantly affected health status among Chinese older adults. Regarding social support differences between urban and rural areas, it was found that relatives support is a positively significant factor for rural older adults, while friends support is significant for urban older adults. Conclusions Since Internet use has many ways of impacting health status, social support only plays a partial mediating role in this study. It recommends that the government should take compelling measures to encourage and promote the use of the Internet among older adults and obtain various social support to improve their health status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiting E
- Department of Sociology, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jianke Yang
- Department of Sociology, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Long Niu
- Department of Sociology, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Chunli Lu
- School of Normal Education, Longyan University, Longyan, Fujian, China
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Chen Y, Wei M, Ortiz J. How do digital lives affect resident mental health in the digital era? Empirical evidence based on Chinese general social survey. Front Public Health 2022; 10:1085256. [PMID: 36568747 PMCID: PMC9768555 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1085256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Having good mental health means we are better able to connect, function, cope and thrive. The widespread application of digital technology in daily life provides new ways and promising tools for residents to maintain their mental health. Given the importance of mental health for everyone, and the fact that mental health problems are prevalent worldwide, this study discusses how digital lives affects the mental health of residents. The results suggest that digital lives are significantly and positively associated with mental health. Mechanisms analysis identifies personal perceptions (self-rated physical exercise and subjective wellbeing) as the important paths for digital lives to promote mental health, while social perceptions (social trust and social fairness) play a suppressing effect on the relationship between them. The results of further discussion show that the degree of the influence of digital lives on mental health of individuals is heterogeneous among different regions. Due to the difference in development level, the positive impact of digital lives is greater in urban areas than in rural areas, and it is stronger in western regions than in eastern and central regions. This study enriches the nascent research stream of digitalization, explores new paths of harnessing digital technologies for mental health, and offers useful insights for the government to guide them in formulating digital development strategies and achieving the Healthy China Strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Chen
- School of Economics and Management, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Beijing, China
| | - Mengyang Wei
- School of Economics and Management, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Beijing, China,*Correspondence: Mengyang Wei
| | - Jaime Ortiz
- Robert C. Vackar College of Business and Entrepreneurship, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, TX, United States
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Liu N, He Y, Li Z. The Relationship between Internet Use and Self-Rated Health among Older Adults in China: The Mediating Role of Social Support. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:14785. [PMID: 36429504 PMCID: PMC9690403 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192214785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The development of Internet technology has significantly impacted how people live their daily lives. How this disparity in Internet use affects the self-rated health of older adults needs to be further explored. This paper studies the impact of Internet use on self-rated health, aiming to examine the effect of Internet use and social support on the self-rated health of older adults in China. This study used data from the 2017 China General Social Survey (CGSS) to verify the effect of Internet use on older adults' self-rated health. The results showed that Chinese elderly who used the Internet had a higher self-rated health, and social support from relatives and friends significantly improved the elderly's self-rated health. This social support played a critical, partially mediating role between Internet use and self-rated health. In China, the effect of Internet use on older adults' self-rated health was heterogeneous. Among them, the impact of Internet use was more significant for the male elderly, younger elderly, and rural elderly. The results suggest that the government should formulate targeted policies to improve the utilization of the Internet and maintain a good Internet environment to enhance the well-being of older adults according to the trend of population aging and the popularity of the Internet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ningning Liu
- School of Public Administration, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
| | - Yujing He
- School of Architecture and Art, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
| | - Zhirong Li
- School of Architecture and Art, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
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Ma Y, Wu H, Shen J, Wang J, Wang J, Hou Y. Correlation between lifestyle patterns and overweight and obesity among Chinese adolescents. Front Public Health 2022; 10:1027565. [PMID: 36408045 PMCID: PMC9670141 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1027565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Lifestyles such as physical exercise, sedentary behavior, eating habits, and sleep duration are all associated with adolescent overweight and obesity. The purpose of this study was to investigate how Chinese adolescents' lifestyles clustered into different lifestyle patterns, and to analyze the correlation between these patterns and adolescent overweight and obesity. The investigated respondents included 13,670 adolescents aged 13-18 from various administrative regions in China. Latent class analysis was employed to cluster the lifestyles of adolescents, χ2 test and Logistic regression were used to explore the relationship between lifestyle patterns and overweight and obesity in adolescents. The results identified 6 types of Chinese adolescents' lifestyle patterns, as well as the significant differences in gender and age. The adolescents with high exercise-high calorie diet had the lowest risk of overweight and obesity, and the adolescents with low consciousness-low physical activity and low consciousness-unhealthy had the highest risk of overweight and obesity, which were 1.432 times and 1.346 times higher than those with high exercise-high calorie diet, respectively. The studied demonstrated that there was a coexistence of healthy behaviors and health-risk behaviors in the lifestyle clustering of Chinese adolescents. Low physical exercise and high intake of snacks and carbonated beverages were the most common. Physical exercise and health consciousness were the protective factors of overweight and obesity in adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Ma
- Research Center for Health Promotion of Children and Adolescents, Taiyuan Institute of Technology, Taiyuan, China
| | - Huipan Wu
- Research Center for Health Promotion of Children and Adolescents, Taiyuan Institute of Technology, Taiyuan, China,*Correspondence: Huipan Wu
| | - Jinbo Shen
- Research Center for Health Promotion of Children and Adolescents, Taiyuan Institute of Technology, Taiyuan, China
| | - Jian Wang
- Department of Physical Education, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Jinxian Wang
- Research Center for Health Promotion of Children and Adolescents, Taiyuan Institute of Technology, Taiyuan, China
| | - Yuxin Hou
- Department of Physical Education, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
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Qin Y, Liu J, Wang R, Qi X, Jiang S, Li J, Guo P, Wu Q. Can leisure and entertainment lifestyle promote health among older people living alone in China?-A simultaneous equation approach. Front Public Health 2022; 10:967170. [PMID: 36249231 PMCID: PMC9558104 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.967170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives With the surging number of older people living alone, their lifestyles and health status have aroused increasing concern. This study aims to investigate whether a leisure and entertainment lifestyle (LEL) can improve the multidimensional health among older people living alone and try to identify the latent mechanisms among them. Method For this purpose, we extracted data from the Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS) and established a simultaneous equations model, comprising ordinary least square regression (OLS), two-stage least squares (2SLS), and the mediating effect model. Results Older people living alone in China reported relatively better mental health status (3.64 ± 1.07), followed by physical health (3.41 ± 1.26) and social health (2.75 ± 1.18). In the OLS model, LEL significantly improved the social health of older people living alone (β = 0.054, P < 0.01), followed by physical health (β = 0.042, P < 0.01) and mental health (β = 0.027, P < 0.01). After endogenous tests from 2SLS model and robustness tests, we found that more active LEL was associated with higher levels of physical health and mental health. However, LEL had no significant effect on the improvement of the social health of the older people living alone. Using the mediation analysis, exercise efficacy partially mediated the relationship of LEL with physical health and mental health, and the ratios were 19.75 and 24.85%, respectively. Similarly, positive life attitudes partially mediated the relationship between LEL and physical health, and LEL and mental health, with ratios of 10.65 and 26.83%, respectively. Conclusion Our findings suggested that LEL is significantly associated with better physical and mental health for older people living alone in China, and the association is mediated by exercise efficacy and positive attitudes toward life. Promoting more leisure and recreational activities, upgrading exercise efficacy, and encouraging positive life attitudes are necessary health promotion measures in active aging policies for the wellbeing of older people living alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinghua Qin
- Department of Social Medicine, School of Public Health, Health Management College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China,Department of Health Economy and Social Security, College of Humanities and Management, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
| | - Jingjing Liu
- Department of Social Medicine, School of Public Health, Health Management College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Rizhen Wang
- Department of Social Medicine, School of Public Health, Health Management College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Xinye Qi
- Department of Social Medicine, School of Public Health, Health Management College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Shengchao Jiang
- Department of Social Medicine, School of Public Health, Health Management College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Jiacheng Li
- Department of Social Medicine, School of Public Health, Health Management College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Pengfei Guo
- Department of Social Medicine, School of Public Health, Health Management College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Qunhong Wu
- Department of Social Medicine, School of Public Health, Health Management College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China,*Correspondence: Qunhong Wu
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Chen WC, Yang L, Wang XY. Internet Use, Cultural Engagement, and Multi-Dimensional Health of Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study in China. Front Public Health 2022; 10:887840. [PMID: 35692319 PMCID: PMC9185139 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.887840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
With the rapid expansion of the Internet, it continuously penetrates the life of older adults around the world. This study aims to explore the effect of Internet use on the multi-dimensional health of the elderly with the mediating role of cultural engagement. Using data from the Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS) in 2015 and 2017, this study adopts logistic regression and a single-step multiple mediation model to investigate how Internet use affects the multi-dimensional health of older adults in China. The results show that Internet use has positive effects on the self-rated health, physical health, and mental health of the elderly. Endogenous tests, robustness analysis, and sensitivity analysis show that the above conclusions remain robust. Additionally, the mediating effect analysis shows that cultural engagement plays a mediating role in the relationship between Internet use and the three health-related responses. Therefore, to improve the elderly's health level, the government should not only cultivate the ability to use the Internet but also encourage greater cultural engagement amongst the aged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-chao Chen
- School of Journalism and Communication, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Liu Yang
- School of Journalism and Communication, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiao-yan Wang
- College of Finance and Statistics, Hunan University, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Xiao-yan Wang
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Does Internet Use Impact the Health Status of Middle-Aged and Older Populations? Evidence from China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19063619. [PMID: 35329305 PMCID: PMC8954843 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19063619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
In the context of both rapid technological development and increasing aging, the relationship between technological development and the health of the middle-aged and older population is gradually receiving academic attention. This study empirically examined the health consequences of the Internet for the middle-aged and older population in China using data from the 2018 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. The results indicated that Internet use was effective in improving the self-assessed health and chronic disease status of the middle-aged and older population. However, the effect of Internet use on the improvement of chronic disease conditions in this population was more pronounced than self-assessed health. In the heterogeneity analysis, the effect of Internet use on the health of female and middle-aged adults was more significant than that of male and older adults aged >60 years. This paper also used a propensity score matching model to eliminate the endogeneity problem caused by sample selectivity bias. The results revealed that the propensity score matching model analysis was more robust. Moreover, if sample selectivity bias was not eliminated, the effect of Internet use on the improvement of self-assessed health in the middle-aged and older population would be underestimated, whereas the effect of Internet use on the chronic disease status of the middle-aged and older adults would be overestimated.
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