Internet use and life satisfaction among empty nesters in rural areas of Yangzhou: based on propensity score matching and mediating effect model
Abstract Background Empty nesters represent a unique group that deserves focused attention. Internet usage is becoming increasingly prevalent among older people. This study preliminarily discussed the differences in life satisfaction between empty nesters who used the Internet and those who did not....
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BMC
2025-02-01
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| Series: | BMC Geriatrics |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-025-05788-x |
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| author | Yitong Liu Yaning Wang Zhuoya Yang Wenkun Xu Guangyu Tian Yuexiao Gao Miaomiao Zhao Rujian Lu Yaqin Zhong |
| author_facet | Yitong Liu Yaning Wang Zhuoya Yang Wenkun Xu Guangyu Tian Yuexiao Gao Miaomiao Zhao Rujian Lu Yaqin Zhong |
| author_sort | Yitong Liu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Empty nesters represent a unique group that deserves focused attention. Internet usage is becoming increasingly prevalent among older people. This study preliminarily discussed the differences in life satisfaction between empty nesters who used the Internet and those who did not. This study also provided insight into how Internet use interacted with social participation to improve their life satisfaction. Methods A face-to-face survey was conducted in Yangzhou City, China, from July to August 2022. Covariates related to life satisfaction, such as sociodemographic characteristics and participants’ health behaviors, were collected. Propensity Score Matching (PSM) was used to match Internet users with non-Internet users. Binomial logistic regression was employed to analyze the association between Internet use and life satisfaction, and the KHB method was used to examine the mediating effect. Results 1,177 respondents aged 60 and above were ultimately matched for analysis in this study. The results showed that Internet use was significantly correlated with higher levels of both social participation (β = 0.276, P < 0.05) and life satisfaction (β = 0.433, P < 0.05). Social participation partially mediated the relationship between Internet use and life satisfaction, with a mediating effect of 0.112 accounting for 21% of the total effect. Further analysis of group heterogeneity indicated that the positive association between Internet use and life satisfaction was more prominent among participants who were younger, male, unemployed, had an income, and were in relatively healthy conditions. Conclusions Internet use was crucial in promoting social participation and enhancing life satisfaction among rural empty nesters. Interventions aimed at improving their life satisfaction should prioritize the creation of inclusive and supportive environments, encouraging social participation, and enhancing digital literacy. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e62b65d3023646f489d1c26b81863f35 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1471-2318 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Geriatrics |
| spelling | doaj-art-e62b65d3023646f489d1c26b81863f352025-08-20T03:03:45ZengBMCBMC Geriatrics1471-23182025-02-0125111310.1186/s12877-025-05788-xInternet use and life satisfaction among empty nesters in rural areas of Yangzhou: based on propensity score matching and mediating effect modelYitong Liu0Yaning Wang1Zhuoya Yang2Wenkun Xu3Guangyu Tian4Yuexiao Gao5Miaomiao Zhao6Rujian Lu7Yaqin Zhong8School of Public Health, Nantong UniversitySchool of Public Health, Nantong UniversitySchool of Public Health, Nantong UniversitySchool of Public Health, Nantong UniversityYangzhou Jiangdu People’s HospitalSchool of Public Health, Nantong UniversitySchool of Public Health, Nantong UniversityNantong Third People’s HospitalSchool of Public Health, Nantong UniversityAbstract Background Empty nesters represent a unique group that deserves focused attention. Internet usage is becoming increasingly prevalent among older people. This study preliminarily discussed the differences in life satisfaction between empty nesters who used the Internet and those who did not. This study also provided insight into how Internet use interacted with social participation to improve their life satisfaction. Methods A face-to-face survey was conducted in Yangzhou City, China, from July to August 2022. Covariates related to life satisfaction, such as sociodemographic characteristics and participants’ health behaviors, were collected. Propensity Score Matching (PSM) was used to match Internet users with non-Internet users. Binomial logistic regression was employed to analyze the association between Internet use and life satisfaction, and the KHB method was used to examine the mediating effect. Results 1,177 respondents aged 60 and above were ultimately matched for analysis in this study. The results showed that Internet use was significantly correlated with higher levels of both social participation (β = 0.276, P < 0.05) and life satisfaction (β = 0.433, P < 0.05). Social participation partially mediated the relationship between Internet use and life satisfaction, with a mediating effect of 0.112 accounting for 21% of the total effect. Further analysis of group heterogeneity indicated that the positive association between Internet use and life satisfaction was more prominent among participants who were younger, male, unemployed, had an income, and were in relatively healthy conditions. Conclusions Internet use was crucial in promoting social participation and enhancing life satisfaction among rural empty nesters. Interventions aimed at improving their life satisfaction should prioritize the creation of inclusive and supportive environments, encouraging social participation, and enhancing digital literacy.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-025-05788-xEmpty nestersInternet useLife satisfactionSocial participation |
| spellingShingle | Yitong Liu Yaning Wang Zhuoya Yang Wenkun Xu Guangyu Tian Yuexiao Gao Miaomiao Zhao Rujian Lu Yaqin Zhong Internet use and life satisfaction among empty nesters in rural areas of Yangzhou: based on propensity score matching and mediating effect model BMC Geriatrics Empty nesters Internet use Life satisfaction Social participation |
| title | Internet use and life satisfaction among empty nesters in rural areas of Yangzhou: based on propensity score matching and mediating effect model |
| title_full | Internet use and life satisfaction among empty nesters in rural areas of Yangzhou: based on propensity score matching and mediating effect model |
| title_fullStr | Internet use and life satisfaction among empty nesters in rural areas of Yangzhou: based on propensity score matching and mediating effect model |
| title_full_unstemmed | Internet use and life satisfaction among empty nesters in rural areas of Yangzhou: based on propensity score matching and mediating effect model |
| title_short | Internet use and life satisfaction among empty nesters in rural areas of Yangzhou: based on propensity score matching and mediating effect model |
| title_sort | internet use and life satisfaction among empty nesters in rural areas of yangzhou based on propensity score matching and mediating effect model |
| topic | Empty nesters Internet use Life satisfaction Social participation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-025-05788-x |
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