Can reduce the chances of depression by more than 30 percent.
By Rick Nauert PhD Senior News Editor
Reviewed by John M. Grohol, Psy.D.
on April 18, 2014
Loneliness can fuel depression in older adults, and experts estimate that as many as 10 million older Americans suffer from depression.
Now, a new study suggests information technology, specifically use of the Internet, among the elderly can reduce the chances of depression by more than 30 percent.
Researchers followed the lives of thousands of retired older Americans reviewing data collected by the Health and Retirement Survey — a survey collecting information from more than 22,000 older Americans every two years.
“The 30 percent reduction is a very strong effect,” said Shelia Cotten, Ph.D., a Michigan State University professor of telecommunication, information studies and media who led the project.
“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.”