Depressive symptoms and internet use among middle-aged and older adults pre- and post-COVID-19 outbreak: a network analysis
Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbates the effects of social isolation on the mental health of middle-aged and older adults. This study aimed to explore the network structures of depressive symptoms among Chinese middle-aged and older adults before and after the COVID-19 outbreak and...
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| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-07-01
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| Series: | BMC Psychology |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-03119-8 |
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| author | Yuanyuan Wu Meng Cai Chang Yu |
| author_facet | Yuanyuan Wu Meng Cai Chang Yu |
| author_sort | Yuanyuan Wu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbates the effects of social isolation on the mental health of middle-aged and older adults. This study aimed to explore the network structures of depressive symptoms among Chinese middle-aged and older adults before and after the COVID-19 outbreak and investigate their associations with Internet use. Methods Two cross-sectional datasets were obtained from the 2018 and 2020 waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Depressive symptoms and Internet use were assessed using the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D) and self-reported Internet use. Network analysis was conducted to identify central symptoms and differences between the two networks and their associations with Internet use. Results Network analysis revealed that CESD3 “Felt depressed” was the central symptom of the depression network in both waves. No significant differences in network structure were observed, but significant differences in global strength and edge strength were found. Furthermore, Internet use showed a more complex association with depressive symptoms among middle-aged and older adults in wave 2. Conclusion This study provides novel insights into the central features of depressive symptoms among middle-aged and older adults before and after the COVID-19 outbreak. Targeting interventions to central symptoms and strong edges may have significant implications for depression treatment. In addition, strategies aimed at enhancing Internet use guidance could potentially benefit the mental health of middle-aged and older adults. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-976ad89155864782b497905d5ae3f32b |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2050-7283 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Psychology |
| spelling | doaj-art-976ad89155864782b497905d5ae3f32b2025-08-20T03:06:39ZengBMCBMC Psychology2050-72832025-07-0113111310.1186/s40359-025-03119-8Depressive symptoms and internet use among middle-aged and older adults pre- and post-COVID-19 outbreak: a network analysisYuanyuan Wu0Meng Cai1Chang Yu2School of Humanities and Social Science, Xi’an Jiaotong UniversitySchool of Humanities and Social Science, Xi’an Jiaotong UniversityDepartment of Sociology and Criminology, University at Buffalo, State University of New YorkAbstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbates the effects of social isolation on the mental health of middle-aged and older adults. This study aimed to explore the network structures of depressive symptoms among Chinese middle-aged and older adults before and after the COVID-19 outbreak and investigate their associations with Internet use. Methods Two cross-sectional datasets were obtained from the 2018 and 2020 waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Depressive symptoms and Internet use were assessed using the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D) and self-reported Internet use. Network analysis was conducted to identify central symptoms and differences between the two networks and their associations with Internet use. Results Network analysis revealed that CESD3 “Felt depressed” was the central symptom of the depression network in both waves. No significant differences in network structure were observed, but significant differences in global strength and edge strength were found. Furthermore, Internet use showed a more complex association with depressive symptoms among middle-aged and older adults in wave 2. Conclusion This study provides novel insights into the central features of depressive symptoms among middle-aged and older adults before and after the COVID-19 outbreak. Targeting interventions to central symptoms and strong edges may have significant implications for depression treatment. In addition, strategies aimed at enhancing Internet use guidance could potentially benefit the mental health of middle-aged and older adults.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-03119-8Depressive symptomsMiddle-aged and older adultsCOVID-19Internet useNetwork analysis |
| spellingShingle | Yuanyuan Wu Meng Cai Chang Yu Depressive symptoms and internet use among middle-aged and older adults pre- and post-COVID-19 outbreak: a network analysis BMC Psychology Depressive symptoms Middle-aged and older adults COVID-19 Internet use Network analysis |
| title | Depressive symptoms and internet use among middle-aged and older adults pre- and post-COVID-19 outbreak: a network analysis |
| title_full | Depressive symptoms and internet use among middle-aged and older adults pre- and post-COVID-19 outbreak: a network analysis |
| title_fullStr | Depressive symptoms and internet use among middle-aged and older adults pre- and post-COVID-19 outbreak: a network analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Depressive symptoms and internet use among middle-aged and older adults pre- and post-COVID-19 outbreak: a network analysis |
| title_short | Depressive symptoms and internet use among middle-aged and older adults pre- and post-COVID-19 outbreak: a network analysis |
| title_sort | depressive symptoms and internet use among middle aged and older adults pre and post covid 19 outbreak a network analysis |
| topic | Depressive symptoms Middle-aged and older adults COVID-19 Internet use Network analysis |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-03119-8 |
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