Eleven-Year Trajectories of Internet Usage Time and Depression Scores Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults in China: Latent Class Mixed Model Analysis

This study identified 3 trajectory clusters of internet usage time among middle-aged and older adults in China from 2010 to 2020. Compared to the older adults who never used the internet, those whose internet usage increases gradually over time exhibited slightly lower depressive scores. Notably, the "Slow increase" cluster exhibited a negative association with depressive scores, with this association being statistically significant in females and older adults with chronic diseases, but not in males or those without chronic diseases. Future initiatives should aim to establish an older adult-friendly internet environment to facilitate internet access for older adults and promote moderate internet use.