Effects of online and offline social participation on depression among older adults living alone vs. not.

This study explored how online and offline social participation affects depression symptoms in older adults through social networks, basic psychological needs, and cognitive reactivity. Conducted as a cross-sectional survey among 700 urban and rural older adults in Ningde City, Fujian Province, data on social participation, social networks, psychological needs, cognitive reactivity, and depression symptoms were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling and multi-group structural equation modeling. Results indicated that offline social participation directly reduced depression symptoms, whereas online participation did not.