The Effects of Internet Use on Mental Health Among Older Adults Caring for Aging Parents: The Mediating role of Social Adaptation

Based on the 2018 and 2020 China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey (CLASS), multiple linear regression analyses and mediation effect tests were used to explore the effects of whether or not to use the internet and the specific uses of the internet on the social adaptation and mental health of older adults caring for their aging parents, with a focus on the mediating role of social adaptation. The results show that internet use can enhance the social adaptation and mental health in this population; social adaptation mediates the relationship between internet use and the mental health. In terms of internet use, both survival-oriented internet use (e.g.,instant messaging, news browsing) and utilitarian internet use (e.g. information seeking, online shopping, internet-mediated cultural and recreational engagement) enhanced the mental health of older adults caring for their parents, and social adaptation partially mediates the relationship between the utilitarian internet use and mental health. Efforts should be made to encourage older adults caring for aging parents to comprehensive utilization of diverse internet functionalities, thereby leveraging their positive role in enhancing family-based care arrangements where older individuals provide care for even older family members.