Effects and Mechanisms of TikTok Use on Self-Rated Health of Older Adults in China During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mediation Analysis

Yunfeng Luo; Han Yu; Yalin Kuang

doi:10.3390/healthcare12222209

Effects and Mechanisms of TikTok Use on Self-Rated Health of Older Adults in China During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mediation Analysis

Healthcare (Basel). 2024 Nov 6;12(22):2209. doi: 10.3390/healthcare12222209.

Authors

Yunfeng Luo¹, Han Yu¹, Yalin Kuang¹

Affiliation

¹ School of Public Administration, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China.

Abstract

Background/objectives: During the COVID-19 pandemic, TikTok emerged as a significant app for entertainment and information acquisition for the general public, gradually extending its reach to the older population. Digital technology, exemplified by TikTok, has become an indispensable part of older adults' lives. However, while prior studies have extensively focused on the impact of internet use on older adults' health, research on the impact of TikTok during the COVID-19 pandemic remains insufficient.

Methods: Utilizing data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) 2020, this study explored the impact of TikTok use on older adults' self-rated health and its underlying mechanisms through multiple regression and mediation analysis.

Results: The study found that (1) TikTok use had a significant positive effect on the self-rated health of older adults; (2) while TikTok use increased the exercise frequency of older adults, exercise frequency did not affect their self-rated health; and (3) TikTok use boosted older adults' protein intake, contributing substantially to their self-rated health, accounting for 38.7% of the total effect.

Conclusions: It is advisable to actively promote the popularity of short video apps such as TikTok among older adults, as they serve as an effective tool for disseminating health information and encouraging healthier lifestyles and behaviors.

Keywords: COVID-19; TikTok use; exercise frequency; older adults; protein intake; self-rated health.

Grants and funding

This study was funded by National Social Science Fund project “Research on the Difficulties and Countermeasures of Digital Social Integration of Elderly People in Western Rural Areas Based on User Profile” (Approval No. 22BSH090), Sichuan Philosophy and Social Sciences Planning Special Project “Research on the Construction of Sichuan Smart People’s Congress” (No. SC24RD012) and Sichuan Philosophy and Social Sciences Planning Key Research Base Project “Research on the Cultivation Mechanism of Top Innovative Talents in Sichuan Province Driven by Digitalization” (No. SC23E060).