The potential benefit of social participation (SP) to one's mental health has been widely acknowledged. Nevertheless, the specific type and amount of SP that is associated with improved depressive symptoms in middle- and old-aged Chinese awaits further investigation. This study aimed to understand the patterns of depression and SP by comparing urban vs rural China, and according to which, measure the associations between changes in SP and that in depressive symptoms. A total of 10,988 community residents aged 45 years and above were selected from wave 1 (2011), wave 2 (2013), and wave 4 (2015) of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), a nationally representative survey. The fixed-effects analysis was used to explore the association between the changes in diversity, frequency, and type of SP and the changes in depressive symptoms. The results indicated that rural respondents suffered from a significantly higher risk of depression and took less SP than their urban counterparts. Transitioning from no SP to 1 or more types of SP or to a once a week or higher frequency was associated with a decline in depressive symptoms. For urban respondents, playing mah-jong or cards and joining sports or social clubs predicted a decline in depressive symptoms. For rural residents, interacting with friends regularly was associated with fewer depressive symptoms. In conclusion, more diverse and higher frequency of SP was associated with better mental health, while the social significance of SP varied across different types of SP and between rural and urban areas.

Emerging Internet of things (IoT) technologies are enhancing the value of traceability information in reshaping organic food consumption behaviours. However, the best ways to measure consumers’ perceptions of the quality of traceability information remains uninvestigated. This paper explores the perceived quality of traceability information through the available literature on perceived information quality, principal-agency theory, and cue utilisation theory. Specifically, we examine how traceability information influences purchase intentions of organic foods. We conducted an online survey and collected 361 valid samples from organic milk consumers in China. Our structural equation modelling analysis led to the following key findings: first, the perceived quality of traceability information positively influences purchase intention towards organic food; second, perceived uncertainty partially mediates the main effect; and, finally, the importance of product information positively moderates the relationship between perceived uncertainty and purchase intention.

Background: Given that cognitive decline lacks effective treatment options and has severe implications for healthy aging, internet use may achieve nonpharmacological relief of cognitive decline through cognitive stimulation and social engagement. Objective: This longitudinal study aimed to investigate the relationship between the diversity, frequency, and type of internet use and cognitive decline, and to provide theoretical support and suggestions for mitigating cognitive decline in middle-aged and older adults. Methods: Data were obtained from a total of 10,532 survey respondents from the China Family Panel Studies database from wave 3 (2014) and wave 5 (2018) of the survey. Cognitive function was measured using vocabulary tests, and internet use was categorized into five aspects: study, work, socializing, entertainment, and commercial-related activities. Associations between the diversity, frequency, and type of internet use and cognitive decline were estimated by controlling for demographic variables and health status risk factors through fixed-effects models. Results: After controlling for demographic and health status risk factors, the type and frequency of internet use were found to be associated with cognitive functioning during the subsequent 4-year period, and different types of internet use had different effects on cognitive decline. Frequency of internet use of at least once a week for study (β=0.620, 95% CI 0.061 to 1.180; P=.04), work (β=0.896, 95% CI 0.271 to 1.520; P=.01), and entertainment (β=0.385, 95% CI –0.008 to 0.778; P=.06), as well as less than once a week for social purposes (β=0.860, 95% CI 0.074 to 1.650; P=.06), were associated with better cognitive function. Frequency of internet use of less than once a week for commercial-related activities (β=–0.906, 95% CI –1.480 to –0.337; P=.005) was associated with poorer cognitive function. Using the internet for more than one type of activity (β=0.458, 95% CI 0.065 to 0.850; P=.03) and at least once a week (β=0.436, 95% CI 0.066 to 0.806; P=.02) was associated with better cognitive function. Conclusions: This study shows that breadth and depth of internet use are positively associated with cognitive function and that different types of internet use have different roles in cognitive decline. The importance of the internet as a nonpharmacological intervention pathway for cognitive decline is emphasized. Future research could explore specific mechanisms of influence.

Addressing COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy is key to ending the COVID-19 pandemic. Communication and media environments are potential drivers of vaccine hesitancy. It is worthwhile to examine the relati...

Background: Wearable devices are shown to be an advanced tool for chronic disease management, but their impacts on physical activity remain uninvestigated. This study aims to examine the effect of wearable devices on physical activity in general people and chronic patients. Methods: Our sample was from the third cycle of the fifth iteration of the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS), which includes a total of 5438 residents. Genetic matching was used to evaluate the effect of wearable devices on physical activity in different populations. Results: (1) Both using wearable devices and using them with high frequency will improve physical activity for the whole population. (2) Wearable devices may have greater positive effects on physical activity for chronic patients. (3) Especially in patients with hypertension, high-frequency use of wearable devices can significantly improve the duration and frequency of physical activity. Conclusions: Wearable devices lead to more physical activity, and the benefit is more noticeable for chronic patients, particularly those with hypertension.