[Nfbf-l] Internet Use Cuts Depression In Elderly, Study Finds.

[Alan Dicey]

Internet Use Cuts Depression In Elderly, Study Finds.

Elderly people who regularly use the internet are less likely to
suffer from depression, new research from a US university has
found.

The research, from the University of Alabama at Birmingham,
found that regular internet usage in retired Americans aged 50
and older reduced depression by 20-28% and helped promote
mental well-being among this group.

The definition of regular internet use was based on people's
own answers to the question: "Do you regularly use the World
Wide Web, or the Internet, for sending and receiving e-mail or
for any other purpose.?") and depression was classified by
the 'eight-item version' of the Center for Epidemiologic
Studies' Depression Scale - a commonly used method for
measuring depression.

"Internet use and depression among older adults" was
compiled by Shelia Cotten, George Ford, Sherry Ford and
Timothy Hale using existing data from a survey covering both
internet usage and health among US adults aged 50 and older,
conducted as part of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS),
an ongoing study into ageing by the University of Michigan.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham study notes that
much prior research on the relationship between internet use
and depression among older adults has been based "on small
samples, which limit the statistical sophistication and the
robustness of the findings". The HRS sample was larger,
surveying 7,839 older adults who are retired and not living in a
nursing home.

The new research concludes: "Internet use reduces the
probability of a depression categorization for older adults by
about 20% - 28%. The effects of Internet use on depression are
large and positive, resolving, at least to some extent, the lack of
evidence supporting the Internet's impact on depression among
older adults."

Dr Cotten told E-Access Bulletin that the most important
finding of this study is that "there is a strong and robust effect
of Internet usage on depression. What this means is that
regardless of the statistical analysis techniques used, internet
users were 20% - 28% less likely to be classified as depressed.
This suggests that we should be encouraging more older adults
to become Internet users."

Dr Cotten said other research she has conducted in this area
shows that "using the internet provides a way for older adults
to find information, garner resources, and communicate with
members of their social networks. The ability to stay in touch
with others and find support when needed are likely
responsible for the beneficial impacts of Internet use on mental
health among older adults."

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