Associations of Depression/Anxiety with Technology Use, Discontinued Use, and Nonuse in Older Adults

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objectives To examine correlates of the changes in technology use among older adults and the associations of depression/anxiety symptoms with technology use changes. Methods We used the 2019–2021 U.S. National Health and Aging Trends Study (N = 3,063; age 70+). We fitted multinomial logistic regression models to examine: (1) correlates of never use and discontinued use versus use of email/texting and the internet during the 3-year study period; and (2) associations of past-month depression/anxiety symptoms in 2021 with use and discontinued use versus never use of email/texting and social network site (SNS). Results The findings show age, socioeconomic, and health barriers to technology use. Email/texting and SNS use in 2021, compared to never use in all 3 years, was associated with a lower likelihood of moderate/severe depression/anxiety symptoms in 2021 (RRR = 0.54, 95% CI = 0.37–0.81 for email/texting use; RRR = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.33–0.97 for SNS use). Video calls with family/friends were not associated with depression/anxiety symptoms. Conclusions The findings expand the existing knowledge base regarding potential impact of technology use on mental health beyond the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Clinical implications More concerted efforts are warranted to help older adults’ technology uptake and continued use and to promote mental health benefits of technology use.