A study conducted by a group of Chinese researchers suggests that the use of social networks could play a relevant role in preventing and reducing symptoms of depression among middle-aged and elderly people.
The research, recently published in the international journal Translational Psychiatry, used data from an ongoing study that collects information on Chinese residents aged 45 and over, reports Tuesday.
The team of experts analyzed the impact of social networks on the mental health of 9,121 people who, in 2018, claimed to have no symptoms of depression. It was also evaluated in the same year for another group of 5,302 people who reported experiencing depressive symptoms.
Data were collected in 2018 and 2020, which allowed the researchers to observe the relationship between the activities on social networks and the changes in the emotional states of the participants during the study period. Analysis of the data showed that those without depressive symptoms in 2018 who used social networks were 24% less likely to develop depressive symptoms in the following two years, compared to those who did not use these platforms. As for people who showed symptoms of depression in 2018, the results suggest that frequent use of social networks could also promote an improvement in their mental health.
According to the data, among people who used three or more of the seven social media activities assessed – chatting, reading news, watching videos, online games, mobile payments, using the local WhatsApp-like app Wechat, and sharing posts on their own profile,” were more likely to experience a reduction in depressive symptoms compared to those who did not participate in such activities.
The research also highlighted the fact that participants active on social networks between 2018 and 2020 were 1.36 times more likely to show a significant improvement in their emotional state.
The director of the study, Professor Qi Yanling, quoted on Tuesday by the official Xinhua agency, emphasized the relevance of this finding in the context of the fact that Chinese society is in an accelerated aging process. Thus, it is estimated that in 2035 there will be over 400 million Chinese over the age of 60, which will represent over 30% of the total population.
To meet this challenge, Qi Yanling suggested implementing strategies that include distributing subsidized cell phones and data packages to seniors, along with disseminating mental health educational content through social media.
These measures could benefit vulnerable groups, such as low-income people, rural residents and elderly women, who may experience a higher incidence of mental health problems, Qi explained.
