ArticleBMC geriatrics2025
Digital exclusion and loneliness in older people: panel data analysis of three longitudinal cohort studies.
Article in BMC geriatrics, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
5 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- The Associations Between Digital Exclusion and Physical or Cognitive Function in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.JMIR aging · 2026Pooled it
- Early Adoption of Digital Devices and Change in Loneliness Over 10 Years Among Late Middle-Aged and Older Adults: Longitudinal Cohort Study.JMIR formative research · 2026Article
- Addressing loneliness by AI chatbot: a qualitative study of empty-nest elderly.BMC public health · 2026Article
- Digital capital and social alienation among undergraduate students in the United Arab Emirates.Frontiers in psychology · 2026Article
- The impact of digital literacy on health behaviors among middle-aged and older adults: the mediating roles of proactive health awareness and social capital.Frontiers in public health · 2026Article
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Authors and funding
2 authors.
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Abstract
objectiveOlder adults are more vulnerable to digital exclusion, which has been associated with psychological distress. This study investigated the relationship between digital exclusion and loneliness among older adults across three countries using three longitudinal surveys. DESIGN AND MEASUREMENTS: Digital exclusion was defined as self-reported non-use of the internet. Loneliness was assessed using the Three-Item Loneliness Scale (T-ILS). We employed Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) with binary logistic regression and propensity score matching (PSM) to examine the association between digital exclusion and loneliness, adjusting for covariates including Age; Gender; Education; Marital status; Employment status; Cohabitation with children; Self-rated health; and Income. SETTING AND
participantsNationally representative samples of older adults were obtained from three longitudinal studies: the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), and the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). The analysis included 39,190 participants (87,256 observations) across the three studies.
resultsSubstantial cross-national disparities in digital exclusion rates were observed: CHARLS (96.20%), HRS (52.13%), and ELSA (33.54%). In the fully adjusted model (Model 3), digital exclusion was significantly associated with loneliness in all three studies (CHARLS: OR = 1.22; HRS: OR = 1.16; ELSA: OR = 1.30). These associations remained statistically significant after propensity score matching (CHARLS: OR = 1.33; HRS: OR = 1.23; ELSA: OR = 1.23).
conclusionOur findings indicate that a substantial proportion of older adults experience digital exclusion, particularly in China. Digital exclusion demonstrates a positive association with loneliness, suggesting that enhancing digital inclusion may serve as a critical strategy for alleviating loneliness and mitigating psychological distress in ageing populations.
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