Associations between social frailty, use of digital device and depression among community-dwelling older adults: A population-based cross-sectional study

Abstract

Aim

Social frailty is prevalent among community-dwelling older adults, and it is a leading factor associated with depression in this population. Digital devices can provide opportunities to engage in social or recreational activities, helping to reduce depression in older adults, regardless of their level of social frailty. However, little is known about which specific activities older adults engage in with such devices can lower depression. Therefore, this study aimed to examine which activities are associated with a lower likelihood of developing depression after adjusting for social frailty.

Methods

A secondary data analysis was carried out using the 2020 National Survey of Older Koreans, which includes a nationally representative sample of community-dwelling older adults in Korea (n = 9920). Depression was measured using the Geriatric Depression Scale, social frailty was measured with the Social Frailty Index and digital device use was measured using 11 items from the survey. The 11 items included sending and receiving text messages, searching for information, taking pictures or videos, watching videos, playing games, and more. The data were analyzed using weighted logistic regressions.

Results

In this study, 13% of participants showed depression. After adjusting for social frailty, the following activities were significantly related to lower odds of depression: playing games (OR 0.618, 95% CI 0.438–0.872, P = 0.006), and searching for and installing applications (OR 0.590, 95% CI 0.372–0.937, P = 0.025).

Conclusions

Older adults engaging in activities using digital devices are less likely to develop depression. Educational programs should be developed to teach older adults about various activities they can perform with digital devices. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2025; 25: 434–441.