Buffering Effects of Internet Use on Caregiving-Related Health Impacts and Loneliness Among Older Informal Caregivers in California: Cross-Sectional Study

作者：Xiang Qi, Ruotong Liu, Eunjung Ko, Yaolin Pei, Bei Wu · 发表于：JMIR Aging · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.2196/74209 · 被引用次数：2 · 研究领域：Technology Use by Older Adults、Health disparities and outcomes、Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving

Background: Loneliness has emerged as a global public health issue, with recent data indicating that 27.6% of adults aged 65 to 80 report feelings of loneliness despite the postpandemic resumption of social activities. Older caregivers face unique challenges that may exacerbate feelings of loneliness due to the demanding nature of caregiving responsibilities. While internet use has been suggested as a potential intervention to reduce loneliness, its moderating effect on the relationship between caregiving-related health effects and loneliness remains understudied. Objective: This study aims to investigate: (1) the association between caregiving-related health effects and loneliness among older informal caregivers; (2) the relationship between internet use frequency and loneliness; and (3) whether internet use moderates the association between caregiving-related health effects and loneliness. Methods: We analyzed cross-sectional data from the 2019-2020 California Health Interview Survey, focusing on 3957 informal caregivers aged 65 and older. Loneliness was measured using a modified 3-item UCLA Loneliness Scale. Health effects of caregiving were assessed by self-reported physical or mental health problems due to caregiving responsibilities. Internet use frequency was measured on a 4-point scale. Multivariable linear regressions were used to test the study aims, adjusting for sociodemographic factors, health status, and caregiving-context characteristics. Results: Among partici...