Influence mechanism of Internet use on the physical and mental health of the Chinese elderly—Based on Chinese General Social Survey
2025

How Internet Use Affects the Health of Chinese Elderly

Sample size: 2772 publication 10 minutes Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Peng Hou, Li Mingming

Primary Institution: Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China

Hypothesis

Internet use positively influences the physical and mental health of the Chinese elderly through various mediating factors.

Conclusion

The study found that Internet use significantly improves the physical and mental health of elderly individuals in China, with learning frequency being the most impactful mediating factor.

Supporting Evidence

  • Internet use enhances physical health by promoting exercise.
  • Social interaction through the Internet reduces feelings of loneliness.
  • Learning new skills online significantly boosts mental health.

Takeaway

Using the Internet can help older people feel better both physically and mentally, especially when they learn new things online.

Methodology

The study used binary logistic regression and stepwise regression analysis on data from the 2021 Chinese General Social Survey.

Potential Biases

Potential biases may arise from self-reported data and the digital divide among different socio-economic groups.

Limitations

The study did not fully incorporate environmental and genetic factors affecting health.

Participant Demographics

Elderly individuals aged 60 and above from various socio-economic backgrounds in China.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.001

Confidence Interval

Not specified

Statistical Significance

p<0.001

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0312664

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