Work

Association between social network support and smart health device ownership among older adults: Potential parallel mediating pathways through internet use and utilization of family doctor contract services

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Objective To examine the association between social network support and smart health device ownership among older adults and assess potential parallel mediating pathways through internet use and utilization of family doctor contract services. Methods This cross-sectional study included 10,463 adults aged 60 years or older from the 2023 China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey. Survey-weighted multivariable logistic regression models assessed associations of social network support with smart health device ownership, internet use, and utilization of family doctor contract services. Karlson–Holm–Breen decomposition estimated indirect effects. Interaction tests assessed effect modification by educational attainment and annual personal income group. Sensitivity analyses assessed robustness. Results Greater social network support was associated with higher odds of smart health device ownership (aOR = 1.043, 95% CI 1.029–1.057; P < 0.001). The total indirect effect (aOR = 1.009, 95% CI 1.006–1.013) accounted for 22.73% of the total effect; internet use and utilization of family doctor contract services accounted for 17.22% and 5.50%, respectively. The association varied by educational attainment and annual personal income group ( P for interaction = 0.020 and 0.006, respectively). Sensitivity analyses yielded consistent results. Conclusions Social network support was positively associated with smart health device ownership. Internet use and utilization of family doctor contract services emerged as potential parallel mediating pathways in this association. These findings may inform strategies to promote equitable ownership through stronger social network support, age-friendly internet use, and digital health guidance within family doctor contract services.

Source: Digital Health

DOI: 10.1177/20552076261500366