An Examination of the Impact of Healthy Lifestyle Behaviours and Self-Neglect on e-Health Literacy Among Older Adults Using Path Analysis.

AIM: This study aimed to examine the effects of healthy lifestyle behaviours and self-neglect on eHealth literacy among individuals aged 60 years and older, and to explore the structural relationships between these variables using path analysis.

METHODS

This cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted with 251 older adults living in Türkiye. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form, the Healthy Lifestyle Behaviours Scale II, the Self-Neglect Scale in Older Adults, and the eHealth Literacy Scale via an online survey. Direct and indirect relationships among variables were analysed using Structural Equation Modelling.

RESULTS

The mean age of participants was 68.22 ± 9.24 years. Healthy lifestyle behaviours were positively associated with eHealth literacy (β = 0.423, p < 0.001), whereas eHealth literacy was negatively associated with self-neglect (β = -0.300, p < 0.001). The direct association between healthy lifestyle behaviours and self-neglect was not statistically significant (β = -0.053, p = 0.463), while the indirect association through eHealth literacy was significant (β = -0.127, p < 0.001). The model showed mixed fit, with χ2/df, CFI, TLI, and SRMR meeting the prespecified acceptable-fit criteria, whereas RMSEA remained above the specified threshold.

CONCLUSION

The findings indicate that healthy lifestyle behaviours are associated with reduced self-neglect only when supported by higher levels of eHealth literacy. Integrating structured interventions to improve eHealth literacy alongside promoting healthy lifestyle behaviours may enhance the effectiveness of strategies targeting self-neglect in older adults.