Table 1 Variable description
Variable | Variable definition and assignment |
|---|---|
Dependent variable | |
 CES-D score (Depressive status) | continuous variable (CES-D score range 10 to 40) the higher the score, the more serious the depression. |
Independent variable | |
 Internet use | yes = 1, no = 0 |
Control variables | |
 Gender | man = 1, woman = 0 |
 Age | actual age at the time of interview survey year - respondent’s year of birth |
 Education level | primary school and below =1, junior high school = 2 senior high school = 3, higher education = 4 |
 Marital status | married = 1, separated, single, divorced or widowed = 0 |
 Smoking status | yes = 1, no = 0 |
 Drinking status | yes = 1, no = 0 |
 Residence | urban = 1, rural = 0 |
 Religious belief | yes = 1, no = 0 |
 Political status | the Chinese Communist party member = 1, other = 0 |
 Air quality status | completely satisfied = 5, very satisfied = 4, somewhat satistied = 3, not very satisfied = 2, not at all satisfied = 1 |
 Medical insurance | covered medical insurance = 1, without medical insurance = 0 |
Mediating variable | |
 Social capital | Standardized social capital index |