Internet Use and Loneliness Among Urban and Non-Urban Chinese Older Adults: The Roles of Family Support, Friend Support, and Social Participation

Abstract Objectives This study investigated the association between internet use and loneliness among older Chinese adults, and the mediating effects of family support, friend support, and social participation. These associations were evaluated in the context of urban and non-urban geographic settings. Methods This study used data from the 2018 wave of the China Longitudinal Ageing Social Survey (N = 10,126), examining samples of urban (n = 3,917) and non-urban (n = 6,209) older adults separately. Linear regression and path analysis within a structural equation modeling framework were employed. Results Internet use was negatively associated with loneliness for both urban and non-urban residing older adults. Family support and social participation mediated the association between internet use and loneliness for both urban and non-urban residing older Chinese adults, but friend support mediated this association only for urban older residents. Discussion This study shed light on our understanding of the relationship between internet use and loneliness among older adults in the Chinese context. Also, these findings suggested that digital interventions for loneliness should pay special attention to the different characteristics of urban and non-urban dwelling older Chinese adults.