The sequential mediating effects of social activities and digital skills in the relationship between aging anxiety and depression in New middle-aged people

Objectives This study aims to examine whether social activities and digital literacy mediate the relationship between aging anxiety and depression in New middle-aged adults. Methods A survey was conducted from September 25 to October 4, 2024 targeting 214 middle-aged people, and the collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis, reliability analysis, Pearson correlation analysis, individual mediation effect, and sequential mediation effect using SPSS 22.0 and Proecss Macro 4.2. Results Aging anxiety, depression, social activities, and digital skills all showed significant correlations with each other, and social activities significantly mediated the relationship between aging anxiety and depression, but digital skills did not. Social activities and digital skills were found to sequentially mediate the relationship between aging anxiety and depression. Conclusions When aging anxiety in New middle-aged adults increases, social activities decrease, which in turn decreases digital skills, ultimately worsening depression.