Internet can help reduce depression among elderly

A new research that followed the lives of thousands of retired older Americans for six years, found that Internet use among the elderly can reduce the chances of depression by more than 30 %.

A new research that followed the lives of thousands of retired older Americans for six years, found that Internet use among the elderly can reduce the chances of depression by more than 30 %.

'That's a very strong effect. And it all has to do with older persons being able to communicate, to stay in contact with their social networks, and just not feel lonely,' Shelia Cotten, a Michigan State University professor of telecommunication, information studies and media who led the project said.

Cotten and her colleagues analyzed the data collected by the Health and Retirement Survey, a survey collecting information from more than 22,000 older Americans every two years. This particular sample included more than 3,000 respondents.

'This is one of the largest and most comprehensive surveys of its kind,' Cotten said.

One way in which this study was different is it took into consideration the subjects' depression levels before they began using the Internet. The researchers wanted to know if past depression affected current depression.

What they found is yes, some people did remain depressed despite Internet use, although it wasn't substantial.

'Internet use continues to reduce depression, even when controlling for that prior depressive state,' Cotten said.

The researchers also confirmed what was found in other studies that for older people who live alone, Internet use had a greater impact on their levels of depression.

'This study makes significant contributions to the study of Internet use and depression in the older, retired population,' Cotten said.

She said it all comes down to how you choose to use your technology. As with most things in life, moderation is best.

This research is published in the Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences.