Internet use and depression among older adults

The findings regarding the impact of Internet use on well-being are mixed and studies are often criticized due to small samples and lack of consistency in measurement. Fewer studies have examined this issue among older adults. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between Internet use and depression among retired Americans age 50 years or older. Using data from the Health and Retirement Survey, the study estimates the relationship between Internet use and depression through combined use of regression and propensity score methodologies. All empirical methods indicate a positive contribution of Internet use to mental well-being of retired older adults (⩾50 years), reducing depression categorization by approximately 20–28%.

► Internet use is positively associated with mental well-being among retired Americans age 50 years or older.
► On average, Internet use reduces the probability of a depression categorization among retired older adults by about 20–28%.
► Using a variety of empirical methods, the null hypothesis that Internet use has no effect on mental well-being was rejected.
► Our findings suggest that Internet use has a much larger and positive effect on depression than found in previous research.