Association between internet use and social isolation among nursing home residents: a chain mediation model

Social isolation poses a significant threat to the health of older adults. However, there has been a lack of attention to the relationship between Internet use and social isolation. This study aimed to clarify the specific impact paths among Internet use, social network, social support, social well-being, and social isolation in nursing home residents. This was a cross-sectional study. A total of 441 nursing home residents in Fujian and Shandong Provinces, China were surveyed between February 2023 and January 2024 using convenience sampling. Guided by the convoy model, a hypothetical theoretical model was developed and tested in this sample. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data on demographics characteristics, Internet use, social isolation, social network, social support, and social well-being. Multiple stepwise linear regression was employed to identify factors influencing social isolation. Additionally, path analysis was conducted to examine the chain mediating effects of social networks, social support, and social well-being on the relationship between Internet use and social isolation. The total score of social isolation of the participants was 13.47 ± 3.58. Internet use, social isolation, social network, social support, and social well-being were all positively correlated. The results of multiple stepwise linear regression analysis showed that marital status, number of children, pre-retirement occupation, health, social network, social support, and social well-being were the main influencing factors of the social isolation of nursing home residents. Mediation effect analysis showed that Internet use has a non-significant direct effect on social isolation. The indirect effect of Internet use on social isolation was significantly exerted through social network, social support, social well-being, and the chain mediating pathways among them. Encouraging nursing home residents to use the Internet is beneficial for their social connections and well-being. It can improve older adults’ social networks, social support, social well-being, and alleviate social isolation.