Study links internet use to better mental health in adults over 50

Comprehensive to work The study, led by researchers at the University of Hong Kong’s medical school, found that internet use significantly improves mental health outcomes among adults aged 50 and over, potentially offering a path to better well-being for aging populations around the world.

Published in research Nature Human BehaviorIt analyzed data from more than 87,000 older adults in 23 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom and China. The findings show that individuals who use regularly Internet They reported fewer symptoms of depression, greater life satisfaction, and better overall health.

The study is particularly important in a climate of increasing mental health problems in the elderly population. As of 2019, approximately 14% of individuals aged 55 and over worldwide experience mental health disorders.

Internet interaction has proven to be especially beneficial during the COVID-19 pandemic, where physical isolation has become necessary. The research found that more frequent internet use corresponded to better mental health outcomes, but the extent of benefits varied across different demographic groups based on genetic, social and behavioral factors.

Professor Zhang Qingpeng, who led the research, highlighted how internet access helps overcome the movement restrictions common with advancing age. For example, online platforms provide important access to health information, social connections, and entertainment options that can help reduce loneliness and maintain quality of life.

The study highlighted a variety of internet-based activities that contribute to mental health, including online shopping, e-learning, social networking and accessing digital health resources. These services may be particularly valuable in middle-income countries such as China, where traditional mental health services are less accessible in many areas, the study suggests.

But the researchers cautioned against a one-size-fits-all approach, suggesting that mental health programs should be tailored to individual needs and circumstances, taking into account a variety of personal factors.