Mediating effect of loneliness in association between smartphone use and depression among older adults in West Bengal, India: An analytical cross-sectional study

Abstract

Smartphone use among older adults is increasing and may influence mental well-being by improving social connection and reducing loneliness. This community-based analytical cross-sectional study assessed the association between smartphone use and depression among older adults and examined whether loneliness mediated this relationship. The study included adults aged 60 years and above from an urban community in Nadia district, West Bengal, India. Data on sociodemographic characteristics and smartphone use were collected using a pretested, semi-structured questionnaire. Depression was assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale Revised-10 item version, while loneliness was assessed using the 8-item UCLA Loneliness Scale. Linear regression and mediation analyses were performed to evaluate the associations among smartphone use, loneliness, and depression. Overall, 153 participants (62.7%) used smartphones. Smartphone users had lower mean depression scores than non-users (14.15±4.96 vs 16.61±5.24) and lower mean loneliness scores (15.77±5.18 vs 17.90±5.23). Depression was observed in 83.7% of smartphone users and 92.3% of non-users, while loneliness was observed in 45.8% and 63.7%, respectively. Smartphone use was significantly associated with lower depression scores (B=-2.30; p<0.001) and lower loneliness scores (B=-2.12; p=0.002). Mediation analysis showed that loneliness partially mediated the association between smartphone use and depression, accounting for 60.7% of the total effect. These findings suggest that smartphone use may be associated with lower depressive symptoms among older adults, partly through reduced loneliness. Digital inclusion strategies that promote meaningful social connection may have potential value for public mental health interventions targeting elderly populations.