Internet Usage, Social Participation, and Depression Symptoms Among Middle-Aged and Older Adult Chinese Individuals Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence From the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Observational Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

While the relationship between internet usage and depression, and the mediating role of social participation in this association, has garnered significant attention, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted traditional forms of social participation. The extent to which this disruption has altered the association remains underexplored.

Objective

This study aims to examine the impact of internet usage on depressive symptoms among middle-aged and older adults and to assess how the mediating role of social participation differs before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

Data for this study were sourced from the fourth wave (2018: 15,326 observations) and the fifth wave (2020: 15,758 observations) of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. A 2-way f

SUBMITTER: Zhang S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12479384 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature