Influence of Digital Health Literacy on Cognitive Flexibility and Attitudes Toward Online Health Information in Older Adults: Differences by Regular Exercise Participation

Key Points

• The aim is to explore how digital health literacy affects cognitive flexibility and attitudes toward online health information in older adults, with a focus on exercise participation.
• Analyzed data from 216 older adults aged 65 and above in Gyeonggi and Chungcheongnam-do regions.
• Investigated the mediating role of cognitive flexibility between digital health literacy and attitudes toward online health information.
• Compared groups based on regular exercise participation to assess differences in effects.
• Higher digital health literacy positively influences cognitive flexibility, leading to improved attitudes toward online health information.
• The indirect effect of digital health literacy on attitudes is stronger in the group participating in regular exercise.
• Improving digital health literacy and promoting physical activity simultaneously enhances the ability to navigate health information.