Smartphone Behavior and Loneliness Among Older Couples in China: Actor-Partner Interdependence Modeling

Abstract Background Much evidence suggests that smartphone behavior is associated with loneliness, but no studies have examined the relationship at the dyadic level in Chinese older couples. The aim of this study is to determine whether smartphone behavior is associated with loneliness in individuals and their spouse. Methods This cross-sectional study included 202 older couples from two community healthcare centers in Chengdu, China, between October 2022 and May 2023. The actor-partner interdependence model (APIM) was constructed to investigate the interdependent effect between smartphone behavior (i.e., smartphone proficiency, smartphone duration, smartphone usage, and overall smartphone behavior score) and loneliness. Results In terms of actor effects, the smartphone behavior index of husbands and wives negatively affected their own loneliness, including smartphone proficiency, smartphone duration, smartphone usage, and overall smartphone behavior score, whereas no such effect existed between wives’ smartphone usage and their own loneliness. Some significant partner effects were observed, i.e., husbands’ smartphone duration and overall smartphone behavior score were associated with their wives’ lower loneliness. Conclusions This research indicated the dyadic interdependence of smartphone behavior and loneliness in older couples. Future mental health interventions for the older people should treat the couple as a unit.