The association between digital technology use and depression among older people in China: a moderated mediation model
ObjectiveTo investigate the association among multidimensional (Digital engagement, DE; Digital devices, DD; and Digital purpose, DP) digital technology use and depression in older Chinese, considering social participation as a mediator and physical activity level (PAL) as a moderator.MethodsData on...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychiatry |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1457967/full |
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| author | Qinmei Wu Wei He Jinfu Wang Litao Du Xiangli Xue Qiang He Yang Pan Si Chen Xianliang Zhang |
| author_facet | Qinmei Wu Wei He Jinfu Wang Litao Du Xiangli Xue Qiang He Yang Pan Si Chen Xianliang Zhang |
| author_sort | Qinmei Wu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ObjectiveTo investigate the association among multidimensional (Digital engagement, DE; Digital devices, DD; and Digital purpose, DP) digital technology use and depression in older Chinese, considering social participation as a mediator and physical activity level (PAL) as a moderator.MethodsData on 5,744 participants (aged≥60) were extracted from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study 2020 dataset. Depression was assessed using the 10-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Logistic regression examined the association between digital technology use and depression. The PROCESS program’s Model 4 evaluated the mediating role of social participation, while Model 7 assessed the moderating role of PAL.ResultsDigital technology use was negatively associated with depression (DE, OR= 0.722, 95%CI: 0.609, 0.858; DD, OR= 0.739, 95%CI: 0.634, 0.860; DP, OR= 0.916, 95%CI: 0.881, 0.952). Various dimensions of digital technology use exerted direct effects on depression scores of 85.87% (DE, OR= -0.638, 95%CI: -1.036, -0.240), 86.09% (DD, OR= -0.526, 95%CI: -0.844, -0.208), and 87.82% (DP, OR= -0.173, 95%CI: -0.259, -0.087), respectively, and social participation mediated 14.13%, 13.91%, 12.18%. PAL exerted a positive moderating effect on the first half path of mediation, especially with the vigorous PAL (DE, OR= 0.591, 95%CI: 0.230, 0.952; DD, OR= 0.515, 95%CI: 0.206, 0.824; DP, OR= 0.157, 95%CI: 0.075, 0.239).ConclusionsMultidimensional digital technology use showed an association with depression in older adults. Promoting social participation through digital technology use is associated with lower depressive symptom scores, and vigorous PAL further strengthens this association, leading to improved mental health. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-9e5a9d071b534bb78a8a263271e02a14 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1664-0640 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj-art-9e5a9d071b534bb78a8a263271e02a142025-02-10T06:49:00ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychiatry1664-06402025-02-011610.3389/fpsyt.2025.14579671457967The association between digital technology use and depression among older people in China: a moderated mediation modelQinmei Wu0Wei He1Jinfu Wang2Litao Du3Xiangli Xue4Qiang He5Yang Pan6Si Chen7Xianliang Zhang8School of Physical Education, Shandong University, Jinan, ChinaChina Institute of Sport Science, Beijing, ChinaSchool of Physical Education, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, ChinaSchool of Physical Education, Shandong University, Jinan, ChinaSchool of Physical Education, Shandong University, Jinan, ChinaSchool of Physical Education, Shandong University, Jinan, ChinaSchool of Physical Education, Shandong University, Jinan, ChinaSchool of Nursing and Rehabilitation, Shandong University, Jinan, ChinaSchool of Physical Education, Shandong University, Jinan, ChinaObjectiveTo investigate the association among multidimensional (Digital engagement, DE; Digital devices, DD; and Digital purpose, DP) digital technology use and depression in older Chinese, considering social participation as a mediator and physical activity level (PAL) as a moderator.MethodsData on 5,744 participants (aged≥60) were extracted from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study 2020 dataset. Depression was assessed using the 10-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Logistic regression examined the association between digital technology use and depression. The PROCESS program’s Model 4 evaluated the mediating role of social participation, while Model 7 assessed the moderating role of PAL.ResultsDigital technology use was negatively associated with depression (DE, OR= 0.722, 95%CI: 0.609, 0.858; DD, OR= 0.739, 95%CI: 0.634, 0.860; DP, OR= 0.916, 95%CI: 0.881, 0.952). Various dimensions of digital technology use exerted direct effects on depression scores of 85.87% (DE, OR= -0.638, 95%CI: -1.036, -0.240), 86.09% (DD, OR= -0.526, 95%CI: -0.844, -0.208), and 87.82% (DP, OR= -0.173, 95%CI: -0.259, -0.087), respectively, and social participation mediated 14.13%, 13.91%, 12.18%. PAL exerted a positive moderating effect on the first half path of mediation, especially with the vigorous PAL (DE, OR= 0.591, 95%CI: 0.230, 0.952; DD, OR= 0.515, 95%CI: 0.206, 0.824; DP, OR= 0.157, 95%CI: 0.075, 0.239).ConclusionsMultidimensional digital technology use showed an association with depression in older adults. Promoting social participation through digital technology use is associated with lower depressive symptom scores, and vigorous PAL further strengthens this association, leading to improved mental health.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1457967/fullolder peoplephysical activitydigital technology usesocial participationdepression |
| spellingShingle | Qinmei Wu Wei He Jinfu Wang Litao Du Xiangli Xue Qiang He Yang Pan Si Chen Xianliang Zhang The association between digital technology use and depression among older people in China: a moderated mediation model Frontiers in Psychiatry older people physical activity digital technology use social participation depression |
| title | The association between digital technology use and depression among older people in China: a moderated mediation model |
| title_full | The association between digital technology use and depression among older people in China: a moderated mediation model |
| title_fullStr | The association between digital technology use and depression among older people in China: a moderated mediation model |
| title_full_unstemmed | The association between digital technology use and depression among older people in China: a moderated mediation model |
| title_short | The association between digital technology use and depression among older people in China: a moderated mediation model |
| title_sort | association between digital technology use and depression among older people in china a moderated mediation model |
| topic | older people physical activity digital technology use social participation depression |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1457967/full |
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