Association between WeChat use and mental health among middle-aged and older adults: a secondary data analysis of the 2020 China Family Panel Studies database

Objective This study focused on the association between WeChat use, the most popular social software in China, and the mental health of middle-aged and older adults.Design Nationwide cross-sectional study.Setting The China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) database.Participants The study sample included 11 127 middle-aged and elderly people aged 45 and above identified from the 2020 CFPS database.Results WeChat usage was negatively associated with depression (OR: 0.782, p<0.01), as was the WeChat Moments sharing (OR: 0.846, p<0.01). 10.310% of the relationship between WeChat usage and depression came from the effects of interpersonal relationships (5.720%) and social trust (4.590%), with significant indirect effects (B=-0.028, p<0.01). Sixteen per cent of the relationship between WeChat Moments sharing and depression came from the effect of interpersonal relationships (6.800%) and social trust (9.200%), and the indirect effect was also significant (B=-0.032, p<0.01).Conclusions WeChat use may empower middle-aged and elderly to maintain close social relationships and trust contributing to their mental health.

Automated summary

This study investigated the association between WeChat use and the mental health of middle-aged and older adults. The results showed a negative correlation between WeChat use and depression, as well as WeChat Moments sharing and depression. WeChat use is found to empower middle-aged and elderly individuals in maintaining close social relationships and trust, contributing to their mental health.