Bidirectional Association Between Internet Use and Episodic Memory Among Older Adults: A Longitudinal Mediation Study

Using nationally representative longitudinal data from three waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), we assessed whether social participation and mental health were channels through which internet use and episodic memory mutually influenced each other. Cross-lagged pane...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of applied gerontology 2024-07, Vol.43 (7), p.829-840
Main Authors: Zhao, Xiaohang, Jin, Lei, Sun, Skylar Biyang
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
China - epidemiology
Depression - epidemiology
Female
Humans
Internet
Internet access
Internet Use - statistics & numerical data
Longitudinal Studies
Male
Mediation
Mediation Analysis
Memory
Memory, Episodic
Mental depression
Mental Health
Middle Aged
Older people
Retirement
Social Participation
Symptoms
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Summary:Using nationally representative longitudinal data from three waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), we assessed whether social participation and mental health were channels through which internet use and episodic memory mutually influenced each other. Cross-lagged panel models with multiple mediators were employed for the mediation analysis. The results reveal that social participation and depressive symptoms were mechanisms underlying the internet-cognition interplay. Among men, an increased chance of contacting friends served as a pathway connecting internet use with better episodic memory. Conversely, men with better episodic memory were more likely to use the internet partially due to their higher chances of having contact with friends and engaging in group activities. Among women, engagement in group activities and depressive symptoms were two channels through which internet use and episodic memory positively influenced each other. Our findings provide practical implications for slowing cognitive aging and narrowing the digital divide.
ISSN:0733-4648
1552-4523
1552-4523
DOI:10.1177/07334648231214944