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.