Internet use and depression among frail older adults: a secondary analysis of the English longitudinal study of ageing

OBJECTIVES: The coexistence of frailty and depression may lead to adverse health outcomes among older people. Internet use may support social participation among older adults and potentially reduce the risk of depression. However, its potential benefits for individuals with frailty remain unclear, particularly when frailty is considered as a multidimensional condition. Drawing on the Activity Theory of Ageing (AToA), this study examined patterns of depression and relationships between internet use and depression among frail older people. METHODS: Data were obtained from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). A total of 1,834 participants aged 65 and above were included, of whom 376 were classified as frail and 1,458 as non-frail. We employed negative binomial regression models to investigate the association between internet use and depression. RESULTS: Frail older people reported higher depression scores than non-frail individuals. Internet use was not significantly associated with depression, whereas frailty status was significantly associated with depression. CONCLUSIONS: Multidimensional nature of frailty should be considered when examining depression in later life. Potential mental health benefits of internet use may not depend solely on frequency of use. Instead, such benefits may relate to specific forms of online engagement, which warrant further investigation.