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By Medical News TODAY

Seniors who become adept at and use a computer appear to have fewer depressive symptoms than those older adults who aren't so technologically connected.

That's the finding of a research study, Depression and Social Support Among Older Adult Computer Users, presented August 18 at the 113th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association.

The data regarding computer use and depressive symptoms was collected as part of the latest wave of an ongoing longitudinal study that is designed to determine the changes over time in physical health, mental health and social activity of older adults living in lower Manhattan.

Called VOICES (Villagers Over 65 Independent Living Challenges and Expectations), the research is being sponsored by Village Care of New York, a not-for-profit long-term care provider. “Villagers” refers to persons living in Manhattan's Greenwich Village and environs, representing the core group of individuals being followed over the course of the study, which began in 1998.