Skip to main content

The Association of Internet Use with Subjective Well-Being: An Empirical Study Based on CGSS 2017

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Proceedings TEEM 2022: Tenth International Conference on Technological Ecosystems for Enhancing Multiculturality (TEEM 2022)

Abstract

With the rapid development of mobile Internet technology, the Internet has taken on an indispensable role in everyday life. There is a continuous debate regarding the relationship between internet use and subjective well-being. In contrast to observing whether one has access to the Internet, this paper focuses on Internet usages such as the frequency of use, range of social interaction, and network centrality. Based on the Chinese nationwide data collected in 2017, the results of the ordinary least squares regression model demonstrate that Internet use has a significant positive association with subjective well-being. In addition, by conducting heterogeneity tests, this study also discovers that Internet usage has different effects on different age groups; middle-aged people benefit from a higher frequency of Internet use and a large-scale network; the youth and the old adults benefit from their organizing communication groups.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 139.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 179.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Boehm, J., Peterson, C., Kivimaki, M., Kubzansky, L.: A prospective study of positive psychological well-being and coronary heart disease. Health Psychol. 30(3), 259–267 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1037/a0023124

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Castells, M.: The rise of the network society. Wiley-Blackwell (2010). https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/book/https://doi.org/10.1002/9781444319514

  3. Hwang, H., Nam, S.: Social media use and subjective well-being among middle-aged consumers in Korea: mediation model of social capital moderated by disability. J. Consum. Aff. 55(4), 1352–1372 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1111/joca.12354

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Kelly, Y., Zilanawala, A., Booker, C., Sacker, A.: Social media use and adolescent mental health: findings from the UK millennium cohort study. Eclinicalmedicine 6, 59–68 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2018.12.005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Verduyn, P., Ybarra, O., Résibois, M., Jonides, J., Kross, E.: Do social network sites enhance or undermine subjective well-being? A critical review. Soc. Issues Policy Rev. 11(1), 274–302 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1111/sipr.12033

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Greyling, T.: Internet access and its relationship to subjective well-being in a developing region. South African J. Econ. Manage. Sci. 21(1) (2018). https://doi.org/10.4102/sajems.v21i1.1841

  7. Kross, E., Verduyn, P., Sheppes, G., Costello, C., Jonides, J., Ybarra, O.: Social media and well-being: pitfalls, progress, and next steps. Trends Cogn. Sci. 25(1), 55–66 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2020.10.005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. CNNIC: The 48th statistical report on China’s Internet development (2021). https://www.cnnic.net.cn/n4/2022/0401/c88-1132.html. Accessed 1 Nov 2021

  9. Diener, E., Suh, E., Lucas, R., Smith, H.: Subjective well-being: three decades of progress. Psychol. Bull. 125(2), 276–302 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.125.2.276

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Kahneman, D., Krueger, A.: Developments in the measurement of subjective well-being. J. Econ. Perspect. 20(1), 3–24 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1257/089533006776526030

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Gerson, J., Plagnol, A., Corr, P.: Subjective well-being and social media use: do personality traits moderate the impact of social comparison on Facebook? Comput. Hum. Behav. 63, 813–822 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2016.06.023

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Portela, M., Neira, I., Salinas-Jiménez, M.D.M.: Social capital and subjective wellbeing in europe: a new approach on social capital. Soc. Indic. Res. 114(2), 493–511 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-012-0158-x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Deeming, C.: Addressing the social determinants of subjective wellbeing: the latest challenge for social policy. J. Soc. Policy 42(3), 541–565 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1017/s0047279413000202

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Wadsworth, T.: Marriage and subjective well-being: how and why context matters. Soc. Indic. Res. 126(3), 1025–1048 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-015-0930-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Castellacci, F., Tveito, V.: Internet use and well-being: a survey and a theoretical framework. Res. Policy 47(1), 308–325 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.respol.2017.11.007

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Keipi, T., Räsänen, P., Oksanen, A., Hawdon, J., Näsi, M.: Exposure to online hate material and subjective well-being. Online Inf. Rev. 42(1), 2–15 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1108/oir-05-2016-0133

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Paez, D., et al.: A longitudinal study of the effects of internet use on subjective well-being. Media Psychol. 23(5), 676–710 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1080/15213269.2019.1624177

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Chang, Y.: Influence mechanism on health disparities based on brain cognition, mass media and lifestyle. Neuroquantology 16(6) (2018). https://doi.org/10.14704/nq.2018.16.6.1543

  19. Jiang, Q., Chen, Z.: Active ageing among silver-haired surfers: An investigation on the mechanisms underlying the effect of the Internet in improving elderly people’s subjective well-being. Modern Commun. (J. Commun. Univ. China) 12, 41–48 (2021). https://doi.org/10.19997/j.cnki.xdcb.2021.12.007

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Gerson, J.: Social media use and subjective well-being: an investigation of individual differences in personality, social comparison, and Facebook behavior (2018). https://openaccess.city.ac.uk/id/eprint/20557/. Accessed 1 Feb 2022

  21. Bao, T., Liang, B., Riyanto, Y.: Social media and life satisfaction: Evidence from Chinese time-use survey. SSRN Electron. J. (2019). https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3534633

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Wheatley, D., Buglass, S.: Social network engagement and subjective well-being: a life-course perspective. Br. J. Sociol. 70(5), 1971–1995 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-4446.12644

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Best, P., Taylor, B., Manktelow, R.: I’ve 500 friends, but who are my mates? Investigating the influence of online friend networks on adolescent wellbeing. J. Public Ment. Health 14(3), 135–148 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1108/jpmh-05-2014-0022

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Kim, J., Lee, J.: The Facebook paths to happiness: Effects of the number of Facebook friends and self-presentation on subjective well-being. Cyberpsychol. Behav. Soc. Network. 14(6), 359–364 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2010.0374

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Fowler, J., Christakis, N.: Dynamic spread of happiness in a large social network: longitudinal analysis over 20 years in the Framingham Heart Study. BMJ 337(dec04 2), a2338–a2338 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.a2338

  26. Chamberlain, N.: 4 ways to @mention in Microsoft Teams to get attention on your posts and replies (2021). https://natechamberlain.com/2021/09/27/4-ways-to-mention-in-microsoft-teams-to-get-attention-on-your-posts-and-replies/. Accessed 15 Dec 2021

  27. Pea, R., Nass, C., Meheula, L., Rance, M., Kumar, A., Bamford, H., et al.: Media use, face-to-face communication, media multitasking, and social well-being among 8- to 12-year-old girls. Dev. Psychol. 48(2), 327–336 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1037/a0027030

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Steinfield, C., Ellison, N., Lampe, C.: Social capital, self-esteem, and use of online social network sites: a longitudinal analysis. J. Appl. Dev. Psychol. 29(6), 434–445 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appdev.2008.07.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Li, J., Zhou, X.: Internet use and Chinese older adults’ subjective well-being (SWB): the role of parent-child contact and relationship. Comput. Hum. Behav. 119, 106725 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2021.106725

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. CGSS: Chinese general social survey—Digital chronicle of Chinese social change (2021). http://cgss.ruc.edu.cn/English/Home.htm. Accessed 28 Dec 2021

  31. Wang, J., Liang, D.: The effects of cultural industry on residents’ subjective well-being: an empirical analysis based on CGSS2017 data. J. Tongji Univ. (Soc. Sci. Sect.) 5, 35–46 (2021)

    Google Scholar 

  32. Abdel-Khalek, A.: Measuring happiness with a single-item scale. Soc. Behav. Personal. Int. J. 34(2), 139–150 (2006). https://doi.org/10.2224/sbp.2006.34.2.139

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Blanchflower, D., Oswald, A.: Is well-being U-shaped over the life cycle? Soc. Sci. Med. 66(8), 1733–1749 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2008.01.030

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Zhao, X., Li, J.: Contemporary youth’s Internet use and social trust. Youth Stud. 01:19–27+94 (2017). CNKI: SUN: QNYJ.0.2017–01–003

    Google Scholar 

  35. Kavanaugh, A., Reese, D., Carroll, J., Rosson, M.: Weak ties in networked communities. Inf. Soc. 21(2), 119–131 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1080/01972240590925320

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Parker, P., Ciarrochi, J., Heaven, P., Marshall, S., Sahdra, B., Kiuru, N.: Hope, friends, and subjective well-being: a social network approach to peer group contextual effects. Child Dev. 86(2), 642–650 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.12308

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Fields, J.: We are leaving older adults out of the digital world (2019). https://techcrunch.com/2019/05/05/we-are-leaving-older-adults-out-of-the-digital-world/. Accessed 4 Feb 2022

Download references

Acknowledgements

In this study, publicly available datasets were analyzed. This data is available at http://cgss.ruc.edu.cn/English/Home.htm.

This study was conducted without any commercial or financial relationships that could potentially create a conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yuying Deng .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2023 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this paper

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this paper

Yan, Y., Deng, Y., Igartua, JJ., Song, X. (2023). The Association of Internet Use with Subjective Well-Being: An Empirical Study Based on CGSS 2017. In: García-Peñalvo, F.J., García-Holgado, A. (eds) Proceedings TEEM 2022: Tenth International Conference on Technological Ecosystems for Enhancing Multiculturality. TEEM 2022. Lecture Notes in Educational Technology. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-0942-1_85

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-0942-1_85

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-99-0941-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-99-0942-1

  • eBook Packages: EducationEducation (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics