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
Fengjiao Guo, Jingyi Zhang, Zixuan Zhang, Zhenfang Wang, Yifei Cao, Ting Huang, Wenqiang Yin, Zhongming Chen, Jinwei Hu, Hongwei GuoObjective
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;
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.