OCCUPATION AND HEALTH ›› 2026, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (22): 3122-3126.

• Treatise—Epidemiology and Preventive Health Care • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Correlation analysis between electronic health literacy and depressive symptoms in the elderly in nursing homes

SHEN Xiangying1,2, CHEN Tingting1,2()   

  1. 1 The Yancheng School of Clinical Medicine of Nanjing Medical UniversityYanchengJiangsu 224400, China
    2 Yancheng Third People's HospitalYanchengJiangsu 224000, China
  • Received:2025-10-24 Revised:2026-01-29 Online:2026-11-15 Published:2026-09-20
  • Contact: CHEN Tingting,E-mail:ycsykfkctt@163.com

Abstract:

Objective To understand the current status and correlation between electronic health literacy and depressive symptoms among elderly people in six elderly care institutions in Yancheng urban area,and analyze the impact of electronic health literacy on depressive symptoms,in order to provide a reference for alleviating depressive symptoms among elderly people in elderly care institutions. Methods From May to August 2025,a random sampling method was used to select 176 elderly people from 6 elderly nursing homes in Yancheng City as survey subjects. General information survey,electronic health literacy scale,and patient health questionnaire depression scale were used for the survey,and the data were statistically analyzed. Results The electronic health literacy score of 176 elderly people in nursing homes was (17.12±6.07)points,with an average score of (2.14±0.76)points for each item. The score for depressive symptoms was (7.38±2.63)points,and the average score for each item was (0.82±0.29)points. The electronic health literacy scores of elderly people in nursing homes with different numbers of chronic diseases,self-rated health status,frequency of monthly child visits,and sleep quality were compared,and the differences were statistically significant(all P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in the scores of depression symptoms among elderly people in nursing homes with different numbers of chronic diseases,self-rated health status,economic sources,frequency of monthly child visits,and sleep quality(all P<0.05). Electronic health literacy and its three dimensions of application ability,evaluation ability,and decision-making ability of elderly people in nursing homes were negatively correlated with depressive symptoms(r=-0.603,-0.557,-0.530,-0.417,all P<0.01). The number of chronic diseases,frequency of monthly child visits,sleep quality,and electronic health literacy were all influencing factors of depression symptoms among elderly people in nursing homes(all P<0.05). Conclusion The electronic health literacy of 176 elderly people in nursing homes is at a medium to low level and requires further improvement. Electronic health literacy is significantly associated with depressive symptoms and serves as an important protective factor. By creating a supportive environment and establishing a systematic training system,the electronic health literacy of elderly people in nursing homes can be enhanced,thereby reducing depressive symptoms.

Key words: Nursing homes, Elderly people, Electronic health literacy, Depressive symptoms, Correlation

CLC Number: