title: Internet use and well-being in later life: a functional approach.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed at exploring the Internet's role in supporting subjective well-being in later life by applying a functional approach, namely, simultaneously but separately examining each of the principal online functions common among older adults (interpersonal communication, information, task performance and leisure).
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected online from 306 Internet users aged 50 years and over. Subjective well-being was measured according to indicators of depression and life satisfaction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Interpersonal communication and information seeking were the most commonly used Internet functions, followed by task performance; use for leisure and recreation was significantly less prevalent. All four online functions were positively correlated with life satisfaction, and task performance and leisure were negatively correlated with depression. After controlling for sociodemographic variables, only leisure associated significantly with the well-being measures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings revealed a paradoxical situation in which the most beneficial use of the Internet is the least popular.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Communication Studies , Ben-Gurion University of the Negev , Beer-Sheva , Israel.
authors.forename: Rinat
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lifshitz
authors.affiliation: a Department of Communication Studies , Ben-Gurion University of the Negev , Beer-Sheva , Israel.
authors.forename: Galit
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nimrod
authors.affiliation: b Department of Public Health , Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva , Israel.
authors.forename: Yaacov G
authors.initials: YG
authors.lastname: Bachner
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D057226:Information Seeking Behavior; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007899:Leisure Activities / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis
keywords: Aging; Internet use; depression; leisure; satisfaction with life