Medical service satisfaction and depression among middle-aged and older Chinese adults: moderating role of distinct Internet-using patterns

Background Patient satisfaction is a powerful predictor of an individual's mental health, according to previous research. However, there has not been a thorough study on the relationship between depression and overall medical service satisfaction (OMSS) in middle-aged and older adults. Moreover, little is known about how different Internet-using patterns affect this relationship. Methods We selected 4,523 participants from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) 2020 dataset who were aged 45 and older. The relationship between OMSS and depression was examined using logistic regression analysis, distinct Internet-using patterns were investigated using latent class analysis, and the moderating effects of these patterns were examined using SPSS PROCESS macro analysis. Results The results showed OMSS was negatively related to depression in middle-aged and older adults (beta = -0.181, p < 0.001). For skilled Internet users, there was a significant positive moderating effect (beta = -0.272, SE = 0.096, p < 0.01), for unskilled users, there was a significant negative moderating effect (beta = 0.497, SE = 0.156, p < 0.01). Yet, there is no moderating effect of a controlled Internet-using pattern on the correlation between OMSS and depression. Conclusions This study highlights the potential value of improving medical service satisfaction in reducing depressive symptoms in middle-aged and older adults. Additionally, in order to maximize the benefits of healthcare for mental health, the study suggests that Internet-using patterns could be a significant area for intervention.