The Effect of Internet Use on the Health Status of Empty-Nest Older Adults: An Age-Period-Cohort Analysis

Abstract

Abstract: With the development of the ageing process and the advancement of new-type urbanization, the size of empty-nest older adults gradually increases. The expansion of the Internet has enabled more older adults to access the Internet. Based on the data from the China General Social Survey (CGSS) from 2010 to 2018, this study estimates the age-period-cohort effects and the impacts of Internet use on the health status of empty-nest older adults. The results show that there are period and cohort effects, but not age effects, on the changes in the mental health of empty-nest older adults. However, there are age and period effects, but not cohort effects, on the changes in physical health. Internet use has a significant positive impact on the physical and mental health of empty-nest older adults, mainly through social and learning pathways. The impact of Internet use on the health of empty-nest older adults is greater for those aged 75 and above, as well as for rural empty-nest older adults. Compared to non-empty-nest older adults, there is a greater impact of Internet use on the health of empty-nest older adults. We propose promoting Internet use among the empty-nest older adults and building an age-friendly digital society.

Keywords: Internet Use, Empty-Nesters, Health, Age-Period-Cohort Model

摘要： 随着人口老龄化程度加深和新型城镇化的深入推进，空巢老人规模逐渐扩张。同时，老年群体互联网普及率不断提高。基于2010~2018年中国综合社会调查(CGSS)数据，在利用年龄-时期-队列模型讨论空巢老人健康状况的基础上，分析互联网使用对空巢老人健康的影响。研究发现，空巢老人的心理健康变化存在时期和队列效应，不必然与年龄相关，而身体健康变化存在年龄和时期效应，不存在队列效应；互联网使用对空巢老人的身体和心理健康均有显著的正向影响，且主要通过社交和学习路径产生影响；互联网使用对75岁及以上、农村空巢老人健康的影响效应更大；与非空巢老人相比，互联网使用对空巢老人健康的影响效应更大。建议提高互联网在空巢老人中的普及率，构建老年友好型数字社会。

关键词: 互联网使用, 空巢老人, 健康, 年龄-时期-队列模型

Li Jingbo, Li Yi. The Effect of Internet Use on the Health Status of Empty-Nest Older Adults: An Age-Period-Cohort Analysis[J]. Population Research, 2024, 48(2): 60-74.

李竞博, 李怡. 互联网使用对空巢老人健康的影响——基于年龄-时期-队列模型的分析[J]. 人口研究, 2024, 48(2): 60-74.

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https://rkyj.ruc.edu.cn/EN/Y2024/V48/I2/60

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