# Migration status and internet use: gender differences in mental health among rural older adults in China

## TL;DR

This study explores how internet use affects mental health in rural older adults in China, finding gender differences among migrants and those left behind.

## Contribution

The study reveals gender-specific mental health benefits of internet use among rural older adults with different migration statuses.

## Key findings

- Internet use is linked to reduced depressive symptoms and improved mental well-being in rural older adults.
- Older migrant women experience fewer mental health benefits from internet use compared to men.
- Mental health benefits of internet use increase progressively with its use.

## Abstract

A study was conducted to examine the impact of Internet use on the mental health of male and female older adults with different migration statuses living in rural China.

Data came from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) 2020. The propensity score matching method was adopted to analyze the effect of Internet use on mental health of rural older adults as a function of migration status and gender.

Our findings indicated a progressive decline in depressive symptoms and a corresponding increase in mental well-being among older migrants, left-behind older adults, and those without migrant children. Furthermore, the mental health benefits associated with Internet use increased alongside this improvement. Importantly, older migrant women derived fewer mental health benefits from Internet use than their male counterparts, as did left-behind older women relative to men in the same cohort.

Since the mental health of the older migrants was worse than that of left-behind older adults or those without migrant children, and older migrant women derived fewer mental health benefits from Internet use than their male counterparts, it is necessary to pay more attention to rural older migrants, especially older women, to improve their willingness and ability to use the Internet.