This chapter examines the relationship between social media use and self-rated health (SRH) among older adults aged 65 years or older in China using data from the 2020 China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey (CLASS). While initial analyses suggest that social media users are more likely to report good health, this association weakens after adjusting for confounding factors such as socioeconomic status, social support, and health conditions. Subgroup analyses reveal that the health benefits of social media use are more pronounced among women, rural residents, and those with lower education, highlighting the potential of digital engagement to mitigate social disadvantage. Platform-specific and purpose-driven effects show that using video and news apps is positively associated with better SRH, whereas other uses, such as beautification or health management, show no or negative associations. These findings underscore the importance of addressing digital disparities and designing inclusive, health-promoting digital interventions tailored to the diverse needs of older adults in China.

错误:搜索内容不能为空,请输入英文关键词
错误:关键词超出字数限制,请精简
高级检索

Social Media Use and Self-rated Health Among Older Adults in China

  • Danan Gu,
  • Haiyan Zhu,
  • Qushi Feng

摘要

This chapter examines the relationship between social media use and self-rated health (SRH) among older adults aged 65 years or older in China using data from the 2020 China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey (CLASS). While initial analyses suggest that social media users are more likely to report good health, this association weakens after adjusting for confounding factors such as socioeconomic status, social support, and health conditions. Subgroup analyses reveal that the health benefits of social media use are more pronounced among women, rural residents, and those with lower education, highlighting the potential of digital engagement to mitigate social disadvantage. Platform-specific and purpose-driven effects show that using video and news apps is positively associated with better SRH, whereas other uses, such as beautification or health management, show no or negative associations. These findings underscore the importance of addressing digital disparities and designing inclusive, health-promoting digital interventions tailored to the diverse needs of older adults in China.