Purposes of Internet Use and Its Impacts on Physical and Psychological Health of Korean Older Adults

Jeon, Gyeong-Suk; Choi, Kyungwon

doi:10.3390/healthcare12020244

Cited by 3 publications

References 33 publications

(42 reference statements)

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Exploring social activity patterns among community-dwelling older adults in South Korea: a latent class analysis

Shin,

Kang,

Choi

et al. 2024

BMC Geriatr

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Background With the trend of digitalization, social activities among the older population are becoming more diverse as they increasingly adopt technology-based alternatives. To gain a comprehensive understanding of social activities, this study aimed to identify the patterns of digital and in-person social activities among community-dwelling older adults in South Korea, examine the associated factors, and explore the difference in depressive symptoms by the identified latent social activity patterns. Methods Data were extracted from a nationwide survey conducted with 1,016 community-dwelling older adults (mean age 68.0 ± 6.5 years, 47.8% male). The main variables assessed were digital social activities (eight items), in-person social activities (six items), and depressive symptoms (20 items). Data were analyzed using latent class analysis, multinomial logistic regression, and multiple linear regression. Results We identified four distinct social activity patterns: “minimal in both digital and in-person” (22.0%), “moderate in both digital and in-person” (46.7%), “moderate in digital & very high in in-person” (14.5%), and “high in both digital and in-person” (16.8%). Younger age, living in multi-generational households, and higher digital literacy were associated with a higher likelihood of being in the “moderate in both digital and in-person” than the “minimal in both digital and in-person” group. Younger age, male, living in multi-generational households, residing in metropolitan areas, no dependency on IADL items, doing daily physical exercise, and higher digital literacy were associated with a higher likelihood of being in the “moderate in digital & very high in in-person” than the “minimal in both digital and in-person” group. Younger age, living in multi-generational households, no dependency on IADL items, doing daily physical exercise, and higher digital literacy were associated with a higher likelihood of being in the “high in both digital and in-person” than the “minimal in both digital and in-person” group. Depressive symptoms were significantly higher in the group with minimal engagement in both digital and in-person activities, compared to other three groups. Conclusions This study highlights distinct patterns of social activities among Korean community-dwelling older adults. Since older adults with minimal social activity engagement can be more vulnerable to depressive symptoms, interventions that address modifiable attributes, such as supporting digital literacy and facilitating physical activity of older adults, could serve as potential strategies to enhance their social activity engagement and, consequently, their mental well-being.

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Exploring social activity patterns among community-dwelling older adults in South Korea: a latent class analysis

Shin,

Kang,

Choi

et al. 2024

BMC Geriatr

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The impact of Internet use on the health status of Chinese women: the chain mediating effect of participation in cultural activities, physical exercise and social entertainment activities

Wei,

Qin,

Xie

2024

Preprint

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Objective：The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of Internet use on the health status of Chinese women, and to analyze the chain mediating role of participation in cultural activities, physical exercise and social entertainment activities. Methods：Based on the data of China General Social Survey in 2021, a total of 4469 Chinese women were selected, and multiple linear regression model, structural equation model and Bootstrap mediating effect test method were used. Results: (1) Internet use has a positive impact on women 's health; (2) Participation in cultural activities plays an intermediary role in the impact of Internet use on women 's health status; (3) Participation in physical exercise plays an intermediary role in the impact of Internet use on women 's health status; (4) Participation in social entertainment activities plays an intermediary role in the impact of Internet use on women 's health status; (5) Participation in cultural activities, physical exercise and social entertainment activities play a chain mediating role in the impact of Internet use on women 's health status. Conclusion: Internet use has a positive impact on the health status of Chinese women, with an average increase of 0.153 points in health status, that is, higher frequency of Internet use has a more positive impact on women 's health status. In order to maintain women 's physical and mental health, women should reasonably arrange their online time, pay attention to the quality of information, cultivate healthy living habits, actively participate in offline social activities and improve their self-management ability. At the same time, relevant departments should also strengthen Internet supervision and governance to create a safe, healthy and positive network environment for women.

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Digital Inclusion among Community Older Adults in the Republic of Korea: Measuring Digital Skills and Health Consequences

Pan,

Aung,

Nam

et al. 2024

EJIHPE

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Many older adults are increasingly embracing digital technology in the Republic of Korea. This study investigated the relationship between the digital skills of Korean older adults and their perceived health status and digital technology application for health promotion. This mixed-method study comprised a community survey of 434 older adults aged ≥65 in two cities in South Korea, followed by focus group interviews. Five types of digital skills, ‘operational internet skills’, ‘information navigation skills’, ‘social skills’, ‘creative skills’, and ‘mobile skills’, were measured using the LSE digital skill measurement instrument. Multivariable analysis identified the influence of digital skills on health-related outcomes. Among them, ‘social skills’ associated positively with self-rated health (β 0.37, 95%CI 0.08, 0.65). ‘Information navigation skills’ contributed positively to the use of digital technology and the internet for a healthy lifestyle in terms of improving eating habits (β 0.43, 95%CI 0.09, 0.77), accessing healthcare (β 0.53, 95%CI 0.21, 0.85), and accessing long-term care services (β 0.45, 95%CI 0.11, 0.79). Thematic analysis revealed that the study participants use Korean language-based resources such as Naver and Kakao Talk for social connection to promote a healthy lifestyle. This study concludes that encouraging initial and sustained use of the internet and enhancing digital skills among Korean older adults can promote active and healthy aging.

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Purposes of Internet Use and Its Impacts on Physical and Psychological Health of Korean Older Adults

Cited by 3 publications

References 33 publications

Exploring social activity patterns among community-dwelling older adults in South Korea: a latent class analysis

Exploring social activity patterns among community-dwelling older adults in South Korea: a latent class analysis

The impact of Internet use on the health status of Chinese women: the chain mediating effect of participation in cultural activities, physical exercise and social entertainment activities

Digital Inclusion among Community Older Adults in the Republic of Korea: Measuring Digital Skills and Health Consequences

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