Internet use, social adaptation and subjective well-being in Chinese older adults: a cross-lagged study

Digitization and ageing have emerged as two significant aspects of global social transformation. In this era of rapidly evolving information technology, the Internet serves as a crucial gateway for older adults to engage in society, facilitating information dissemination and sharing and enhancing their sense of well-being through increased social connectivity. However, the association among Internet use (IU), social adaptation (SA), and subjective well-being (SWB) is not well acknowledged. To address this chasm, this study used a cross-lagged panel to explore the associations among these three by using two waves of a nationally representative sample of 7627 Chinese older adults aged 60 years or above from the 2016 and 2018 China Longitudinal Ageing Society Survey. The results revealed that 1) IU and SA (IU → SA: β = 0.071, p < .001; SA → IU: β = 0.038, p < .001), SA and SWB (SA → SWB: β = 0.052, p < .001; SWB → SA: β = 0.033, p = .003) had a bidirectional relationship; 2) IU positively predicted SWB ( β = 0.022, p = .023); 3) SA mediated the longitudinal relationship between IU and SWB (Z-value = 3.83, p < .001). Based on the empirical findings, this study further discusses implications for promoting older adults' engagement with IU and enhancing their SWB. • Internet use and social adaptation had a bidirectional relationship. • Social adaptation and subjective well-being are mutually associated. • Internet use at Time 1 positively predicted subjective well-being at Time 2. • Social adaptation mediates the longitudinal link between Internet use and subjective well-being.