Connecting Lives: Exploring the Interplay Between Residential Mobility, Internet Usage, and Aging Well in China

This research examines the interconnections between residential mobility, internet usage, and successful aging among older adults in China, drawing on nationally representative data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Utilizing binary logistic and stepwise regression analyses, the investigation assesses the impacts of frequent relocations on aging outcomes and identifies the mediating role of digital engagement. The findings indicate that residential mobility disrupts social networks and increases stress, negatively impacting successful aging. However, internet usage partially mitigates these effects by enhancing social integration, leisure and travel opportunities, emotional support, and access to health information. Younger seniors (60–74 years) are more adept at using internet technologies than older seniors (75+), highlighting a digital divide. Transitions from rural to urban environments also appear to support more favorable aging trajectories, reinforcing the significance of spatial context. This study expands successful aging theory by embedding digital inclusion within broader frameworks of social support and health equity. The results emphasize the urgency of implementing age-sensitive digital literacy initiatives and designing community-based interventions that account for regional disparities in access and capacity.