The Association between Internet Usage and Cognitive Function in Older Adults: A Chain-Mediated Role of Social Isolation and Depression

Background: In recent years the widespread availability internet use has opened up convenient cognitive training pathways for older adults. In addition, social isolation and depression have been shown to be associated with certain cognitive impairment, but the mechanisms linking social isolation and depression between Internet use and cognitive impairment are unclear. The aim of the research is to explore if there are intermediary impacts of social isolation and depression on Internet use and cognitive impairment. Methods: Based on China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) 2020 data, 6,155 subjects meeting the criteria were included. Depression and cognitive function were assessed by using the Flow Adjustment Central Depression Scale (CES-D 10) and the Global Cognitive Score tool. Correlation, regression and Bootstrap-analysis were utilized to test the correlation between key variables and social isolation and depression, and multiple mediation effect models were constructed to test the mediation effect. Results: Internet use showed a significant positive correlation with cognitive function, while social isolation and depression were negatively associated with cognitive function. The analysis of mediation effects showed that internet use influenced the cognitive function in older adults via the single mediation effect of social isolation and depression (Effect =0.1431,95% CI [0.1046,0.1840]; Effect =0.0700,95% CI [0.0400,0.1010]) and the chain mediation effect of social isolation and depression ( Effect =0.0269,95% CI [0.0192,0.0356]). Conclusions: The current study found that social isolation and depression can act as mediators in the relationship between internet use and the cognitive function in older adults. We can delay or prevent the occurrence of cognitive impairment in the elderly by cultivating their Internet use skills, increasing social participation, and strengthening the supervision of depression to improve their cognitive function.