Min-Ah Lee1, Kenneth F Ferraro2,3, Giyeon Kim4. 1. Department of Sociology, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Korea. 2. Department of Sociology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA. 3. Center on Aging and the Life Course, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA. 4. Department of Psychology, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Korea.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Our study examines the relationship between digital technology use and depressive symptoms among older Koreans and whether social interaction moderates the relationship. METHODS: The data were drawn from the 2017 Survey of Living Conditions and Welfare Needs of Korean Older Persons, a nationally representative survey. Digital technology use was measured by the number of digital functions that respondents perform with their electronic devices. Social interactions were measured by the frequencies of face-to-face and remote connections with friends or neighbors. Relationships were estimated with multiple regression analyses. RESULTS: Digital technology use was inversely associated with depressive symptoms even after adjusting for covariates including cognitive function. Both remote and face-to-face connections with friends or neighbors were associated with fewer depressive symptoms. An interaction between digital technology use and remote contact also was detected: the effect of digital technology use on depressive symptoms was more beneficial for older adults with infrequent remote contact with friends or neighbors than for those with frequent remote contact. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that digital technology use can reduce depressive symptoms of older adults, especially those who have fewer social interactions. Educating older adults to increase their digital literacy level and use of remote interactions may improve their psychological wellbeing, perhaps even during times of a viral pandemic.
OBJECTIVES: Our study examines the relationship between digital technology use and depressive symptoms among older Koreans and whether social interaction moderates the relationship. METHODS: The data were drawn from the 2017 Survey of Living Conditions and Welfare Needs of Korean Older Persons, a nationally representative survey. Digital technology use was measured by the number of digital functions that respondents perform with their electronic devices. Social interactions were measured by the frequencies of face-to-face and remote connections with friends or neighbors. Relationships were estimated with multiple regression analyses. RESULTS: Digital technology use was inversely associated with depressive symptoms even after adjusting for covariates including cognitive function. Both remote and face-to-face connections with friends or neighbors were associated with fewer depressive symptoms. An interaction between digital technology use and remote contact also was detected: the effect of digital technology use on depressive symptoms was more beneficial for older adults with infrequent remote contact with friends or neighbors than for those with frequent remote contact. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that digital technology use can reduce depressive symptoms of older adults, especially those who have fewer social interactions. Educating older adults to increase their digital literacy level and use of remote interactions may improve their psychological wellbeing, perhaps even during times of a viral pandemic.
Entities:
Keywords:
Digital technology use; depressive symptoms; social interaction
Authors: Simone A Tomaz; Pete Coffee; Gemma C Ryde; Bridgitte Swales; Kacey C Neely; Jenni Connelly; Andrew Kirkland; Louise McCabe; Karen Watchman; Federico Andreis; Jack G Martin; Ilaria Pina; Anna C Whittaker Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-04-24 Impact factor: 4.614
Authors: Simone A Tomaz; Gemma C Ryde; Bridgitte Swales; Kacey C Neely; Federico Andreis; Pete Coffee; Jenni Connelly; Andrew Kirkland; Louise McCabe; Karen Watchman; Jack G Martin; Ilaria Pina; Anna C Whittaker Journal: Eur Rev Aging Phys Act Date: 2022-07-02 Impact factor: 6.650