eHealth Literacy and eHealth Usage Among Older Adults in Singapore: The Roles of Attitudes and Social Norms

Enhancing eHealth literacy among older adults is recognized as a key strategy to increase their eHealth usage. However, the underlying mechanisms of this process remain underexplored. Drawing on the knowledge-attitude-practice (KAP) model and social norm theory, this study examined the mediating role of attitudes toward eHealth and the moderating roles of injunctive and descriptive norms of eHealth use in linking eHealth literacy to eHealth use among older adults. An online survey was conducted with 503 older adults in Singapore. The results revealed that eHealth literacy was positively associated with eHealth usage, with attitudes mediating this relationship. Additionally, descriptive norms positively moderated the relationship between eHealth literacy and attitudes toward eHealth, while injunctive norms positively moderated the relationship between attitudes toward eHealth and eHealth usage. Our conceptual model, which integrates both personal and interpersonal factors, provides valuable insights for health communication researchers and practitioners seeking to promote eHealth adoption in today’s aging and digital society.