Relationships Among Mobile Internet Use, Social Support, and Depressive Symptoms: Prospective Cohort Study Among Community Residents

This study used longitudinal data and developed cross-lagged models to improve the reliability of findings and applied least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression to improve the explanatory power and predictive accuracy of the models. The findings offer practical insights for designing digital mental health interventions, particularly in underserved rural areas. Specifically, our results support the development of mobile-based platforms that facilitate meaningful internet-based social interactions to bolster perceived social support and thereby reduce depressive symptoms. We recommend that public health initiatives incorporate digital literacy training and promote internet-based behaviors that strengthen real-life social connections. Furthermore, mental health professionals should consider individuals' internet use patterns when designing personalized intervention strategies.