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. 2024 Nov-Dec;41(6):1600-1611.
doi: 10.1111/phn.13405. Epub 2024 Sep 2.

The association between Internet use and intrinsic capacity among older adults in China: The mediating role of social participation

Jianying Fu  1 , Shuxia Fu  2 , Xiao Wang  1 , Xiuhong Wang  1   3
Affiliations

The association between Internet use and intrinsic capacity among older adults in China: The mediating role of social participation

Jianying Fu et al. Public Health Nurs. 2024 Nov-Dec.

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to explore the relationship between Internet use and intrinsic capability among Chinese older adults, and the potential mediating role of social participation.

Methods: We verified the correlation between Internet use and intrinsic capacity using multiple linear regression and verified the mediating role of social participation using the Sobel and Bootstrap tests.

Results: The results of multiple linear regression show that there is a significant positive association between Internet use and intrinsic capacity (B = 0.717, p < .001); and social participation plays a mediating role, explaining a total of 20.5% of the association (indirect effect = 0.147, 95% CI: 0.067-0.227).

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that Internet use significantly improves intrinsic capacity among Chinese older adults, with social participation playing a mediating role. Increasing Internet adoption rates and promoting social participation may help improve intrinsic capacity among older adults.

Keywords: Internet use; intrinsic capacity; older adults; social participation.

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References

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