The impact of digital social capital on the health of older adults: A moderated mediation effect test

Purpose Older adults are struggling in the digital age due to lower digital literacy and other reasons. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between digital social capital, digital divide, learning ability, and health of older adults. Methods This study used data from the China General Social Survey (CGSS) to systematically analyze effects of digital social capital on the health of older adults using the moderated mediated effect test. Results Digital social capital has a significant positive effect on the health of older adults and significant household and regional heterogeneity. Internet usage has a mediating impact between social capital and the health of older adults. Learning ability positively moderates the effect of internet usage on the health of older adults, but negatively moderates the impact of digital social capital on internet usage. Learning ability moderates the mediating effect of internet usage between social capital and the health of older adults. The stronger the learning ability, the stronger the mediating effect of internet usage between social capital and health of older adults. Conclusion Digital social capital can promote the health of older adults, and internet usage and learning ability can play mediating and moderating roles in the process of digital social capital affecting the health of older adults, revealing that we should cultivate the digital social capital of older adults and improve the digital ability of older adults to improve their health.