Dataset Information

Socioeconomic inequalities in the relationship between internet usage patterns and depressive symptoms: Evidence from a Chinese longitudinal study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The increasing prevalence of depressive symptoms has emerged as a critical public health issue globally, highlighting the need for analyses of the factors contributing to depressive symptoms within the Chinese population and the development of targeted recommendations for improving mental well-being. We aimed to explore the correlation between internet use and depressive symptoms and the role of socioeconomic inequalities in this association.

Methods

We included data on 8019 residents aged 18 years and above, which we retrieved from the 2018 and 2020 waves of the China Family Panel Studies. We used latent profile analysis to categorise individuals' internet usage patterns and multiple linear regression to determine their association with depressive symptoms.

Results

Higher socioeconomic status (SES) was associated with fewer depressive symptoms (τ = -0.08; 95% confidence interval (CI) = -0.36, -0.18). Individuals in the high-dependence group presented a greater likelihood of developing depressive symptoms (τ = 0.04; 95% CI = 0.007, 0.66). We observed no significant difference in the interaction effect between individual-level SES and the four patterns of internet usage. However, compared with urban-dwelling respondents, those in rural areas had a stronger association between internet usage patterns and depressive symptoms, especially those in the high-dependence group (τ = -0.07; 95% CI = -1.47, -0.20).

Conclusions

Our findings indicate a significant association between depressive symptoms and internet usage patterns, indicating a need for interventions related to internet use, especially those targeted at reducing the risk of depressive symptoms in individuals of lower SES.

SUBMITTER: Wang T

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11327895 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Socioeconomic inequalities in the relationship between internet usage patterns and depressive symptoms: Evidence from a Chinese longitudinal study.

Wang Ting T Zhang Shouchuang S Li Qiaosheng Q Liu Haoran H Zhang Shan S Jian Weiyan W Guo Jing J

Journal of global health 20240816

<h4>Background</h4>The increasing prevalence of depressive symptoms has emerged as a critical public health issue globally, highlighting the need for analyses of the factors contributing to depressive symptoms within the Chinese population and the development of targeted recommendations for improving mental well-being. We aimed to explore the correlation between internet use and depressive symptoms and the role of socioeconomic inequalities in this association.<h4>Methods</h4>We included data on ...[more]

PMID: 39149826

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Project description:BackgroundInternet interventions can easily generate objective data about program usage. Increasingly, more studies explore the relationship between usage and outcomes, but they often report different metrics of use, and the findings are mixed. Thus, current evaluations fail to demonstrate which metrics should be considered and how these metrics are related to clinically meaningful change.ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the relationship between several usage metrics and outcomes of an internet-based intervention for depression.MethodsThis is a secondary analysis of data from a randomized controlled trial that examined the efficacy of an internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy for depression (Space from Depression) in an adult community sample. All participants who enrolled in the intervention, regardless of meeting the inclusion criteria, were included in this study. Space from Depression is a 7-module supported intervention, delivered over a period of 8 weeks. Different usage metrics (ie, time spent, modules and activities completed, and percentage of program completion) were automatically collected by the platform, and composite variables from these (eg, activities per session) were computed. A breakdown of the usage metrics was obtained by weeks. For the analysis, the sample was divided into those who obtained a reliable change (RC)-and those who did not.ResultsData from 216 users who completed pre- and posttreatment outcomes were included in the analyses. A total of 89 participants obtained an RC, and 127 participants did not obtain an RC. Those in the RC group significantly spent more time, had more log-ins, used more tools, viewed a higher percentage of the program, and got more reviews from their supporter compared with those who did not obtain an RC. Differences between groups in usage were observed from the first week in advance across the different metrics, although they vanished over time. In the RC group, the usage was higher during the first 4 weeks, and then a significant decrease was observed. Our results showed that specific levels of platform usage, 7 hours total time spent, 15 sessions, 30 tools used, and 50% of program completion, were associated with RC.ConclusionsOverall, the results showed that those individuals who obtained an RC after the intervention had higher levels of exposure to the platform. The usage during the first half of the intervention was higher, and differences between groups were observed from the first week. This study also showed specific usage levels associated with outcomes that could be tested in controlled studies to inform the minimal usage to establish adherence. These results will help to better understand how to use internet-based interventions and what optimal level of engagement can most affect outcomes.Trial registrationISRCTN Registry ISRCTN03704676; http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN03704676.International registered report identifier (irrid)RR2-10.1186/1471-244X-14-147.

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Project description:ObjectiveFrailty and depression, as two common conditions among older adults in China, have been shown to be closely related to each other. The aim of this study was to investigate the bidirectional effects between frailty and depressive symptoms in Chinese population.MethodsThe bidirectional effect of frailty with depressive symptoms was analyzed among 5,303 adults ≥ 60 years of age from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Phenotype and a frailty index were used to measure frailty. Depressive symptoms were evaluated using the Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to determine the bidirectional effects of frailty and depressive symptoms in cross-sectional and cohort studies, respectively. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were further used to further verify the associations.ResultsIn the cross-sectional study, the multivariate-adjusted ORs (95% CIs) for depressive symptoms among pre-frail and frail adults, as defined by the frailty index and phenotype, were 3.05 (2.68-3.49), and 9.78 (8.02-12.03), respectively. Depressed participants showed higher risks of pre-frailty and frailty [frailty index, 3.07 (2.69-3.50); and phenotypic frailty, 9.95 (8.15-12.24)]. During follow-up, the multivariate-adjusted HRs (95% CIs) for depressive symptoms among pre-frail and frail participants, as defined by the frailty index and phenotype, were 1.38 (1.22-1.57), and 1.30 (1.14-1.48), respectively. No significant relationship existed between baseline depressive symptoms and the incidence of frailty. Moreover, the results from subgroup and sensitivity analyses were consistent with the main results.ConclusionAlthough a cross-sectional bidirectional association between depressive symptom and frailty has been observed in older (≥60 years old) Chinese adults, frailty may be an independent predictor for subsequent depression. Moreover, no effect of depressive symptoms on subsequent frailty was detected. Additional bidirectional studies are warranted in China.

Dataset Information

Socioeconomic inequalities in the relationship between internet usage patterns and depressive symptoms: Evidence from a Chinese longitudinal study.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Socioeconomic inequalities in the relationship between internet usage patterns and depressive symptoms: Evidence from a Chinese longitudinal study.

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