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The Impact of Depression and Leisure Activities on E-Health Literacy Among Older Adults: A Cross-Cultural Study in the EU and Japan

Author

Listed:
  • Kumi Morishita-Suzuki

    (Sendai Center for Dementia Care Research and Practices, Sendai 989-3201, Japan
    Graduate School of Gerontology, J.F. Oberlin University, Tokyo 194-0213, Japan)

  • Toshimi Ogawa

    (Smart-Aging Research Center, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8575, Japan)

  • Roberta Bevilacqua

    (Scientific Direction, IRCCS INRCA, 60124 Ancona, Italy)

  • Sebastien Dacunha

    (Maladie d’Alzheimer, Université de Parisance, 75006 Paris, France
    Service de Gériatrie 1 & 2, Hôpital Broca, Assistance Publique—Hôpitaux de Paris, 75013 Paris, France)

  • Vera Stara

    (Scientific Direction, IRCCS INRCA, 60124 Ancona, Italy)

  • Johanna Möller

    (Diöcesan Caritas Association for the Archdiocese of Cologne, D-50676 Cologne, Germany)

  • Cecilia Palmier

    (Centre Hospitalier Jacques Coeur, 18000 Bourges, France)

  • Asako Ohara

    (Misawa Homes Institute, Research and Development Co., Ltd., Tokyo 168-0072, Japan)

  • Ai Abe

    (Smart-Aging Research Center, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8575, Japan)

  • Denilson Brilliant T.

    (Smart-Aging Research Center, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8575, Japan)

  • Maribel Pino

    (Maladie d’Alzheimer, Université de Parisance, 75006 Paris, France
    Service de Gériatrie 1 & 2, Hôpital Broca, Assistance Publique—Hôpitaux de Paris, 75013 Paris, France)

  • Rainer Wieching

    (Institute for New Media & Information Systems, University Siegen, D-57072 Siegen, Germany)

  • Elvira Maranesi

    (Scientific Direction, IRCCS INRCA, 60124 Ancona, Italy)

  • Anne-Sophie Rigaud

    (Maladie d’Alzheimer, Université de Parisance, 75006 Paris, France
    Service de Gériatrie 1 & 2, Hôpital Broca, Assistance Publique—Hôpitaux de Paris, 75013 Paris, France)

  • Shuichiro Watanabe

    (Graduate School of Gerontology, J.F. Oberlin University, Tokyo 194-0213, Japan)

  • Volker Wulf

    (Institute for New Media & Information Systems, University Siegen, D-57072 Siegen, Germany)

  • Yasuyuki Taki

    (Smart-Aging Research Center, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
    Department of Aging Research and Geriatric Medicine, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8575, Japan)

Abstract

Health services through digital technologies (e-health) offer a promising solution, but some older adults may encounter difficulties in utilizing these resources due to varying levels of e-health literacy. This study investigated the relationship between depression, leisure activities, and e-health literacy among older adults in the EU and Japan using cross-sectional data from the e-ViTA baseline survey. Findings revealed that depression was negatively associated with e-health literacy in both regions (EU: β = −0.54, 95% confidence interval (CI): −0.79, −0.28; Japan: β= −0.24, 95%CI: −0.46, −0.02). Leisure activities were positively associated with e-health literacy only in the EU (β = 0.55, 95%CI: 0.23, 0.87). Moreover, leisure activities appeared to partially mediate the relationship between depression and e-health literacy in the EU group. These results highlight the need to address mental health issues and promote leisure activities to improve e-health literacy among older adults, emphasizing tailored interventions for different cultural contexts.

Suggested Citation

  • Kumi Morishita-Suzuki & Toshimi Ogawa & Roberta Bevilacqua & Sebastien Dacunha & Vera Stara & Johanna Möller & Cecilia Palmier & Asako Ohara & Ai Abe & Denilson Brilliant T. & Maribel Pino & Rainer Wi, 2025. "The Impact of Depression and Leisure Activities on E-Health Literacy Among Older Adults: A Cross-Cultural Study in the EU and Japan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(3), pages 1-9, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:22:y:2025:i:3:p:403-:d:1609057
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