Exploring the Mediating Role of Social Engagement in the Relationship between Information and Communication Technology Use and Mental Health Among Older Americans

Background. Understanding the dynamics between internet use, social engagement, and mental health among older adults is crucial. The wellbeing of older adults may be especially impacted by connections to others and access to and use of technology may facilitate these connections. Therefore, this paper explores the mediation effect of social engagement between Information and communications technology (ICT) use and mental health issues (i.e., depression and anxiety) among older US adults. By revealing the mediating role of social engagement, this research sheds light on interventions that can enhance well-being in this demographic, thus advancing the field of social work and promoting positive aging outcomes.

Methods. The current study conducts a secondary analysis of the 2022 (wave 12) National Health & Aging Trends Study (NHATS). The sample population includes US Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 years and older who were community dwellers (N=5,188). ICT use consists of ICT user, IT user, CT user, and nonusers. Social engagement consists of an inventory of social interactions, including: visiting family and friends, doing something for enjoyment, attending classes, clubs or organized activities, volunteering, religious participation with a range of 0-5 scale. Depression and anxiety based on the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2) in the data with a range of 0-6 scale. Multivariate analysis was conducted to understand the mediation effect of social engagement on the relationship between ICT use among older adults and depression (model 1)/anxiety (model 2) by using age, gender, race, education, and employment status as control variables.

Results. ICT use varied among participants, with 57.34% identified as ICT users, 5.40% as IT users, 12.16% as CT users, and 25.10% as nonusers; meanwhile, social engagement (M=2.52, SD=1.35), depression (M=2.93, SD=1.35), and anxiety (M=2.88, SD=1.34) scores varied among participants. In Model 1 and Model 2, the Baron & Kenny method was used to check the mediation effect of social engagement. The analysis revealed that social engagement partially mediates the relationship between ICT use and depression (F(14, 56)=26.26, p<0.001, R²= 0.073). The Sobel tests yielded significance across all subcategories of ICT use, implying the presence of indirect effects. Full mediation by social engagement in the relationship between ICT use and anxiety was identified (F(14, 56)=9.47, p<0.001, R²=0.051). The Sobel tests yielded significance across all subcategories of ICT use, implying the presence of indirect effects.

Discussion. The study delved into the mediating role of social engagement between older adults' ICT use and mental health, uncovering significant insights. Increased internet use is associated with heightened social engagement, leading to decreased depression and anxiety among older Americans. Notably, those engaging in both information seeking and communication online exhibit the highest social engagement levels, emphasizing the importance of interactive ICT use for fostering societal involvement. While the study's cross-sectional nature poses limitations, future longitudinal research could elucidate causal relationships between variables. Moreover, exploring the impacts of diverse ICT platforms on mental health outcomes may inform tailored interventions, highlighting the potential for ICT integration in social work practice to enhance older adults' well-being and foster positive aging outcomes.