A research team from the Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy at the LKS Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong (HKUMed) has found that internet use is linked to better mental health among adults aged 50 or older across 23 countries.
The findings revealed that those who engage online report fewer depressive symptoms, higher life satisfaction and better self-reported health.
The researchers call for tailored interventions that utilise internet connectivity to improve overall mental health in middle-aged and older populations, taking into account the genetic, sociodemographic and behavioural characteristics of older adults.
The study was recently published in Nature Human Behaviour.
The research team analysed data from six longitudinal ageing cohorts involving over 87,000 adults aged 50 or older in 23 high- and middle-income countries, like the USA, UK, and China, to study the impact of internet use on mental health.
The results showed that internet use is correlated with lower depressive symptoms, higher life satisfaction, and better self-reported health among individuals in these countries.
However, the extent of these benefits varied among different demographic groups, influenced by genetic, sociodemographic and behavioural factors.
The study also revealed that more frequent internet use was correlated with improved mental health.
The findings have important implications for public health policies and practices in promoting mental health in later life using the internet.
The study demonstrates that using the internet is linked to better mental health for older adults in various countries, highlighting that internet use is a potential solution for tackling mental health issues, particularly in middle-income countries like China, where professional mental health services might not be easily accessible in many areas.
The internet provides various services and products that are helpful for mental well-being, such as online shopping, e-learning, social networking and digital health resources, which help older adults stay connected and engaged.
However, the study emphasised that there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
The most effective approach is tailoring mental health programmes to individual needs, taking into account genetic, sociodemographic and behavioural factors.
Professor Zhang Qingpeng, from the Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy at HKUMed and HKU Musketeers Foundation Institute of Data Science, led the study.
The researcher said: ‘For people in later life, who often face mobility and activity restrictions, internet use offers a valuable opportunity and an alternative for accessing health-related information.
“It also provides an important channel for social connections and online entertainment, which help alleviate feelings of loneliness, maintain social connections, and enhance overall quality of life.
“All these can positively impact their mental health.’
