What question did this study set out to answer?

To investigate the relationship between social participation, digital use, and depressive symptoms in adults aged 50 and older.

April 10, 2026Open Access

Social and digital engagement associated with reduced depressive symptoms in adults aged 50 and older: a multi-country cohort study

Key Points

To investigate the relationship between social participation, digital use, and depressive symptoms in adults aged 50 and older.
Conducted a multi-country cohort study
Assessed participants' levels of social participation and digital engagement
Measured depressive symptoms using standardized assessments
Higher levels of social participation correlated with fewer depressive symptoms
Increased digital engagement linked to lower incidence of depression
Findings suggest that promoting digital use can aid in depression prevention

Abstract

Engagement in social participation and digital use are associated with a reduced incidence of depressive symptoms in older adults. In the digital world, besides social participation, promoting digital use for social connection may be an effective strategy for depression prevention in ageing populations.

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Discussion

Authors

Yaping Wang

Liyuan Tao

Gram Lu

Journals

BMC Medicine

Actions

Institutions

Harvard University

Stanford University

University College London

References and Citations

Connected Papers

Building similarity graph...

Analyzing shared references across papers

Social and digital engagement associated with reduced depressive symptoms in adults aged 50 and older: a multi-country cohort study

Key Points

Abstract

Citation Network

Connected Papers

Discussion

Authors

Journals

Actions

Institutions

References and Citations

Citation Network

Connected Papers

Discussion

Cite this study