Seniors Can Lower the Risk of Depression by Using Internet

Depression, a common problem among older adults can be tackled by spending some time on the Internet, according to a new study.

The study by researchers at the Michigan State University makes a significant case for Internet use to tackle depression among seniors and retired population. The study claims that Internet use among older adults can drastically lower the risk of depression by more than 30 percent.

The researchers did a six-year project that followed the lives of thousands of retired older Americans.

Depression, a mental illness, is common among older adults. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, over 35 million Americans of ages 65 or older suffer from depression and this is closely linked with dependency, isolation and disability.

"That's a very strong effect," Shelia Cotten, a Michigan State University professor of telecommunication, information studies and media who led the project, said in a statement. "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."

In this study, the researchers evaluated the data that was gathered by the Health and Retirement Survey.  The survey collected data of over 22,000 elder Americans every two years.  The sample included the study of over 3,000 older Americans.  This is said to be the largest and comprehensive survey of its kinds.

Several earlier researches looked into the use of Internet by seniors and the risk of depression. But most of those studies were inconclusive.

Unlike previous studies, this study looked in to the respondent's levels of depression before they began using the Internet.  By doing this, the researchers evaluated whether the past depression affected the present depression.

It was found that past depression did affect the present state.  "Internet use continues to reduce depression, even when controlling for that prior depressive state," Cotten said.

Apart from this they also support previous findings that among seniors living alone, the use of Internet has a significant impact on the levels of depression.

"If you sit in front of a computer all day, ignoring the roles you have in life and the things you need to accomplish as part of your daily life, then it's going to have a negative impact on you," Cotten said. "But if you're using it in moderation and you're doing things that enhance your life, then the impacts are likely to be positive in terms of health and well-being."

The finding was reported in the Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences.