Browsing by Author "Earle, Sarah"

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    Age as an important predictor for digital health literacy: Cross-sectional evidence of internet users from an international multisite study in North America and EU countries
    (Taylor & Francis, 2025) Großschädl, Franziska; Marston, Hannah R.; Ivan, Loredana; Prabhu, Vishnu; Earle, Sarah
    This study investigates digital health literacy across North America and Europe to understand the sociodemographic factors influencing eHealth literacy, specifically the role of age. This international, multi-site population employed a convenience sample across nine countries (N = 1,314) between April 2020–2021, presenting significant insights and recommendations for eHealth transformations. Using the eHealth Literacy Scale, a validated self-rated instrument, respondents in North America showed higher (t1641 = 2.18, p-value = .03) eHealth literacy than those in Europe. Respondents from the UK showed the highest scores (34.48 ± 5.45), and those from Spain – the lowest (29.50 ± 6.40). Age had a significant (f4,1292 = 3.73, p-value <.01) impact on the eHEALS scores, whereby respondents aged 50+ years reported higher eHealth literacy than younger respondents. Interaction effects of age*gender and age*employment predicted the highest eHealth literacy among adults aged 50+ years. Our findings reveal high eHEALS scores, suggesting that internet users in North America and Europe are confident in their ability to find and assess eHealth information. The coronavirus pandemic could have led to older people using mobile communication technologies for health purposes and becoming more confident in using digital tools. Offer diverse technology-based learning opportunities for older adults who want to learn about new technologies so that they have better access to their eHealth information.
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    Successful Aging Across Middle Versus High-Income Countries: An Analysis of the Role of eHealth Literacy Associated With Loneliness and Well-Being
    (Oxford Academic, 2024) Ivan, Loredana; Marston, Hannah R.; Prabhu, Vishnunarayan Girishan; Großschädl, Franziska; Silva, Paula Alexandra; Buttigieg, Sandra C.; Öztürk Çalıkoğlu, Halime; Bilir Koca, Burcu; Arslan, Hasan; Kanozia, Rubal; Browning, Matthew H. E. M.; Freeman, Shannon; Earle, Sarah
    Background and Objectives “Successful aging” concerns the process of growing older while maintaining physical, cognitive, and social well-being, emphasizing independence for overall satisfaction and quality of life. We investigate the impact of eHealth literacy on reducing loneliness and sustaining well-being during the pandemic, comparing middle- and high-income countries. Research Design and Methods Online surveys were conducted between April 4, 2020, and September 30, 2021, collecting responses (N = 2,091) from medium- and high-income countries in Europe, Asia, and North America. T-tests and ANOVAs were used to test how sociodemographic predictors were associated with differences in e-Health literacy, loneliness, and well-being. Results Respondents from high-income countries reported significantly higher well-being scores than those from middle-income countries and respondents from high-income countries had significantly higher e-HEALS (e-Health literacy) scores compared to middle-income countries. No significant difference was observed in loneliness scores between high-income and middle-income country respondents. Well-being is associated with age, with younger adults (18–29 years) and those aged 40+ reporting higher levels. Higher education and income are linked to greater well-being. Gender differences are observed, with females and those with a partner reporting higher well-being. In middle-income countries, higher education levels are more linked to loneliness, while in higher-income countries, loneliness is observed across education levels. Discussion and Implications Future interventions by governments and policymakers should consider intersectionality in e-Health planning and offer digital literacy and digital skills training to those with lower education levels.