Successful Aging Across Middle Versus High-Income Countries: An Analysis of the Role of eHealth Literacy Associated with Loneliness and Well-Being


Ivan L., Marston H. R., Prabhu V. G., Groβschädl F., Alexandra Silva P., Buttigieg S. C., ...Daha Fazla

Gerontologist, cilt.65, sa.1, 2025 (SSCI) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 65 Sayı: 1
  • Basım Tarihi: 2025
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1093/geront/gnae170
  • Dergi Adı: Gerontologist
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, International Bibliography of Social Sciences, Abstracts in Social Gerontology, AgeLine, CINAHL, EBSCO Education Source, Education Abstracts, EMBASE, Gender Studies Database, MLA - Modern Language Association Database, Psycinfo, Public Affairs Index, Social services abstracts, Sociological abstracts, Violence & Abuse Abstracts
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: COVID-19, Cross-cultural studies, e-Health, Successful aging, Technology
  • Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Background and Objectives: "Successful aging"concerns the process of growing older while maintaining physical, cognitive, and social well-being, emphasizing independence for overall satisfaction and quality of life. We investigate the impact of eHealth literacy on reducing loneliness and sustaining well-being during the pandemic, comparing middle-and high-income countries. Research Design and Methods: Online surveys were conducted between April 4, 2020, and September 30, 2021, collecting responses (N..=..2,091) from medium-and high-income countries in Europe, Asia, and North America. T-Tests and ANOVAs were used to test how sociodemographic predictors were associated with differences in e-Health literacy, loneliness, and well-being. Results: Respondents from high-income countries reported significantly higher well-being scores than those from middle-income countries and respondents from high-income countries had significantly higher e-HEALS (e-Health literacy) scores compared to middle-income countries. No significant difference was observed in loneliness scores between high-income and middle-income country respondents. Well-being is associated with age, with younger adults (18-29 years) and those aged 40+ reporting higher levels. Higher education and income are linked to greater well-being. Gender differences are observed, with females and those with a partner reporting higher well-being. In middle-income countries, higher education levels are more linked to loneliness, while in higher-income countries, loneliness is observed across education levels. Discussion and Implications: Future interventions by governments and policymakers should consider intersectionality in e-Health planning and offer digital literacy and digital skills training to those with lower education levels.