Journal
JOURNAL OF APPLIED GERONTOLOGY
Volume 36, Issue 12, Pages 1471-1518Publisher
SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC
DOI: 10.1177/0733464815595509
Keywords
older adults; mental health; Internet usage; psychosocial factors; systematic review
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Funding
- Svenska Kulturfonden
- Signe och Ane Gyllenbergs Stiftelse
- Svensk-Osterbottniska Samfundet
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Research on the role of information and communication technology (ICT) use for active aging is limited. The aim of this systematic review is to investigate the link between Internet use and mental health among older adults. The review was conducted based on searches in 9 electronic databases (2002-2014). A meta-synthesis approach was applied, examining quantitative (18) and qualitative (14) studies. The findings from the synthesis of quantitative statistical data indicate an overall positive association between Internet use and mental health and its psychosocial covariates in later life. The psychosocial links between Internet use and mental health identified from the qualitative data were (a) enhanced interpersonal interaction at individual level, (b) increased access to resources within the community, and (c) empowered social inclusion at society level. The results highlight the multi-level psychosocial links between Internet use and mental health, which may be applied in initiatives targeting healthy aging in various settings.
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