The Role of Internet Use and Offline Social Engagement in the Health of Chinese Older Adults: Evidence from Nationally Representative Samples

This study investigated the association between internet use as a novel type of social engagement and the health of older adults, and evaluated the role of online versus offline social activities through nationally representative samples. Participants aged ≥ 60 in the datasets from the Chinese sample of the World Value Survey (N(Sample 1) = 598) and the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS, N(Sample 2) = 9434) were selected. Correlation analysis presented the positive relationships between internet use and self-reported health in both Sample 1 (r = 0.17, p < 0.001) and Sample 2 (r = 0.09, p < 0.001). In addition, the relationships between internet use and both self-reported health and depression (r = −0.14, p < 0.001) were stronger than the correlation between offline social activities and health outcomes in Sample 2. After accounting for the frequency of traditional social activities, regression analysis revealed the relationship between internet use and higher self-reported health (β(Sample 1) = 0.16, p < 0.001; β(Sample 2) = 0.04, p < 0.001) and lower depressive symptom scores (β = −0.05, p < 0.001) This research contributes to the existing body of literature on the favorable relationship between social engagement and health outcomes among Chinese older adults. Additionally, it identifies the social benefits of internet use for health promotion among older adults.