JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Given the rapid development of the digital economy and the sustained proliferation of the Internet, digital engagement in older adults has garnered mounting attention from the academic community. However, research has yet to systematically examine the impact of digital engagement on sleep in this demographic.

Objective:

The objective of this study is to examine the impact of digital engagement on sleep schedules among older adults, utilizing cohort data and fixed-effects modeling.

Methods:

This study utilizes the China Family Panel Study (CFPS) from 2014 to 2020, encompassing four distinct periods, as its primary data source. The investigation employs a combination of analytical approaches, namely the fixed-effects model and the random-effects ordered logit model, to explore the impact of digital access and internet usage duration on the sleep patterns of older adults. The study delves into the relationship between digital access and internet usage duration on the duration of lunch breaks and nighttime sleep.

Results:

The study included a total of 16,784 older adults, with an average age of 69.726 years, including 9,100 women and 7,684 men. The results showed that both digital access (β = −0.15, 95% CI −0.25 to −0.06; P < .01) and Internet usage time (β = −0.07, 95% CI −0.13 to −0.01; P < .01) significantly reduced the daily sleep duration of older adults. Digital access significantly reduced the length of afternoon naps among older adults, while Internet usage did not have this effect; both digital access and Internet usage significantly delayed older adults sleep onset time. Digital access affects older adults' sleep schedules by influencing non-agricultural employment, protein intake, memory, depressive mood, and IADL. Digital access has a greater and more significant impact on men and urban older adults, while Internet usage has a greater and more significant impact on women and urban older adults.

Conclusions:

The study indicates that digital engagement, such as the use of electronic devices, is associated with a reduction in both daily and nap sleep duration, as well as a delay in sleep onset, among older adults. Policymakers should consider encouraging digital device manufacturers to develop devices that promote improved sleep hygiene practices among this demographic.