Academic Journal
Associations between DigComp 2.2-based digital competence and multidimensional health literacy among older adult learners in Shanghai Universities of the Third Age: a cross-sectional study.
| Τίτλος: | Associations between DigComp 2.2-based digital competence and multidimensional health literacy among older adult learners in Shanghai Universities of the Third Age: a cross-sectional study. |
|---|---|
| Συγγραφείς: | Shen X; Department of Arts and Science, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China., Luo Y; College of Medical Technology, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China., Yang C; College of Continuing Education, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China., Xu O; Hospital Dean's Office, Cao He Jing Community Health Center, Shanghai, China., Wei Y; Department of Nursing, Shanghai Jingan District Daning Road Sub-District Community Health Service Center, Shanghai, China., Ma Q; Department of Nursing, Chuansha Community Health Service Center, Shanghai, China., Cao J; Department of Arts and Science, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China. |
| Πηγή: | Frontiers in public health [Front Public Health] 2026 Aug 31; Vol. 14, pp. 1883493. Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Aug 31 (Print Publication: 2026). |
| Τύπος έκδοσης: | Journal Article |
| Γλώσσα: | English |
| Στοιχεία περιοδικού: | Publisher: Frontiers Editorial Office Country of Publication: Switzerland NLM ID: 101616579 Publication Model: eCollection Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 2296-2565 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 22962565 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Front Public Health Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Original Publication: Lausanne : Frontiers Editorial Office |
| Ιατρικοί όροι (MeSH): | Health Literacy*/statistics & numerical data , Students*/statistics & numerical data , Computer Literacy*, Humans ; China ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Universities ; Male ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Aged ; Middle Aged |
| Περίληψη: | Background: Digital competence may influence older adults' engagement with health information in increasingly digitalized societies. However, evidence on the association between DigComp 2.2-based digital competence and multidimensional health literacy remains limited. This study examined digital competence levels and its associations with health literacy domains among older adult learners in Shanghai Universities of the Third Age. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from September to December 2024 in four public Universities of the Third Age in Shanghai, China. A total of 600 learners were recruited using convenience sampling, and 558 valid responses were analyzed. Digital competence was assessed using a 22-item DigComp 2.2-based scale covering five competence areas. Health literacy was measured using the 44-item Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ) with nine independent scales. Descriptive analysis, correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression were performed. Digital competence was modeled per 10-point increase. Results: The mean digital competence score was 63.4 (SD = 12.4), with communication and collaboration being the highest and digital content creation the lowest. HLQ scores varied across domains. All DigComp competence areas were positively correlated with HLQ scales (r = 0.285-0.538). Information and data literacy showed stronger correlations with health information-related HLQ domains. After adjustment, higher digital competence was significantly associated with appraisal of health information (B = 0.16, β = 0.284), navigating healthcare systems (B = 0.21, β = 0.312), finding good health information (B = 0.24, β = 0.338), and understanding health information (B = 0.19, β = 0.271; all p < 0.001). Conclusion: DigComp 2.2-based digital competence is positively associated with key domains of health literacy among older adult learners in Shanghai, particularly information appraisal, seeking, healthcare navigation, and understanding. Universities of the Third Age may serve as effective settings for integrated digital and health literacy education. Longitudinal and intervention studies are needed to confirm causality. (Copyright © 2026 Shen, Luo, Yang, Xu, Wei, Ma and Cao.) |
| Competing Interests: | The author(s) declared that this work was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. |
| References: | Front Psychol. 2025 Feb 06;16:1524373. (PMID: 39981391) Bull World Health Organ. 2020 Apr 1;98(4):231-231A. (PMID: 32284641) Ageing Soc. 2018 Apr;38(4):651-675. (PMID: 29551843) Front Public Health. 2023 Feb 20;11:1109323. (PMID: 36891330) Front Public Health. 2026 Feb 12;14:1735211. (PMID: 41769106) Annu Rev Public Health. 2006;27:167-94. (PMID: 16533114) JAMA. 2013 Nov 27;310(20):2191-4. (PMID: 24141714) J Appl Gerontol. 2020 Feb;39(2):141-150. (PMID: 30353776) J Med Internet Res. 2022 Feb 16;24(2):e34790. (PMID: 35171099) Z Gesundh Wiss. 2023;31(5):679-687. (PMID: 34104627) BMC Public Health. 2025 Mar 07;25(1):919. (PMID: 40055684) Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2021 Jul 23;23(9):61. (PMID: 34297202) Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Jun 30;20(13):. (PMID: 37444116) BMC Public Health. 2012 Jan 25;12:80. (PMID: 22276600) Prev Med. 2022 Apr;157:106997. (PMID: 35189203) Behav Res Methods. 2009 Nov;41(4):1149-60. (PMID: 19897823) JAMA Netw Open. 2024 Sep 3;7(9):e2432733. (PMID: 39254981) PLoS One. 2016 Apr 06;11(4):e0152547. (PMID: 27050169) BMC Health Serv Res. 2022 Feb 12;22(1):188. (PMID: 35151302) Arch Public Health. 2024 Nov 7;82(1):204. (PMID: 39511667) BMC Public Health. 2022 May 17;22(1):996. (PMID: 35581565) Digit Health. 2023 May 25;9:20552076231178431. (PMID: 37256010) J Med Internet Res. 2006 Jun 16;8(2):e9. (PMID: 16867972) BMC Geriatr. 2024 Dec 21;24(1):1027. (PMID: 39709341) Front Public Health. 2022 Aug 05;10:906089. (PMID: 35991040) Front Public Health. 2026 Jan 14;13:1764365. (PMID: 41613061) Front Public Health. 2022 Oct 10;10:998710. (PMID: 36299739) Psychogeriatrics. 2023 Jul;23(4):609-620. (PMID: 37186342) Front Public Health. 2025 Mar 31;13:1568043. (PMID: 40231178) EClinicalMedicine. 2023 Jan 12;56:101821. (PMID: 36684393) BMC Public Health. 2013 Jul 16;13:658. (PMID: 23855504) BMC Public Health. 2022 Nov 29;22(1):2226. (PMID: 36447176) BMC Geriatr. 2023 Nov 27;23(1):779. (PMID: 38012565) NPJ Digit Med. 2024 Jun 29;7(1):173. (PMID: 38951666) PLOS Digit Health. 2023 Oct 12;2(10):e0000279. (PMID: 37824584) BMC Public Health. 2019 Sep 4;19(1):1220. (PMID: 31484512) J Med Internet Res. 2025 Jan 15;27:e62645. (PMID: 39813666) Lancet. 2022 Dec 3;400(10367):1967-2006. (PMID: 36423650) |
| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: DigComp 2.2; HLQ; Universities of the Third Age; digital competence; digital inclusion; healthy aging; multidimensional health literacy; older adult learners |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20260915 Date Completed: 20260915 Latest Revision: 20260916 |
| Update Code: | 20260916 |
| PubMed Central ID: | PMC13572664 |
| DOI: | 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1883493 |
| PMID: | 42741101 |
| Βάση Δεδομένων: | MEDLINE |
| FullText | Text: Availability: 0 CustomLinks: – Url: https://resolver.ebsco.com/c/fiv2js/result?sid=EBSCO:cmedm&genre=article&issn=22962565&ISBN=&volume=14&issue=&date=20260831&spage=1883493&pages=1883493&title=Frontiers in public health&atitle=Associations%20between%20DigComp%202.2-based%20digital%20competence%20and%20multidimensional%20health%20literacy%20among%20older%20adult%20learners%20in%20Shanghai%20Universities%20of%20the%20Third%20Age%3A%20a%20cross-sectional%20study.&aulast=Shen%20X&id=DOI:10.3389/fpubh.2026.1883493 Name: Full Text Finder (for New FTF UI) (ns324271) Category: fullText Text: Full Text Finder MouseOverText: Full Text Finder |
|---|---|
| Header | DbId: cmedm DbLabel: MEDLINE An: 42741101 AccessLevel: 3 PubType: Academic Journal PubTypeId: academicJournal PreciseRelevancyScore: 0 |
| IllustrationInfo | |
| Items | – Name: Title Label: Title Group: Ti Data: Associations between DigComp 2.2-based digital competence and multidimensional health literacy among older adult learners in Shanghai Universities of the Third Age: a cross-sectional study. – Name: Author Label: Authors Group: Au Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Shen+X%22">Shen X</searchLink>; Department of Arts and Science, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China.<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Luo+Y%22">Luo Y</searchLink>; College of Medical Technology, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China.<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Yang+C%22">Yang C</searchLink>; College of Continuing Education, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China.<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Xu+O%22">Xu O</searchLink>; Hospital Dean's Office, Cao He Jing Community Health Center, Shanghai, China.<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Wei+Y%22">Wei Y</searchLink>; Department of Nursing, Shanghai Jingan District Daning Road Sub-District Community Health Service Center, Shanghai, China.<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Ma+Q%22">Ma Q</searchLink>; Department of Nursing, Chuansha Community Health Service Center, Shanghai, China.<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AU" term="%22Cao+J%22">Cao J</searchLink>; Department of Arts and Science, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China. – Name: TitleSource Label: Source Group: Src Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22101616579%22">Frontiers in public health</searchLink> [Front Public Health] 2026 Aug 31; Vol. 14, pp. 1883493. <i>Date of Electronic Publication: </i>2026 Aug 31 (<i>Print Publication: </i>2026). – Name: TypePub Label: Publication Type Group: TypPub Data: Journal Article – Name: Language Label: Language Group: Lang Data: English – Name: TitleSource Label: Journal Info Group: Src Data: <i>Publisher: </i><searchLink fieldCode="PB" term="%22Frontiers+Editorial+Office%22">Frontiers Editorial Office </searchLink><i>Country of Publication: </i>Switzerland <i>NLM ID: </i>101616579 <i>Publication Model: </i>eCollection <i>Cited Medium: </i>Internet <i>ISSN: </i>2296-2565 (Electronic) <i>Linking ISSN: </i><searchLink fieldCode="IS" term="%2222962565%22">22962565 </searchLink><i>NLM ISO Abbreviation: </i>Front Public Health <i>Subsets: </i>MEDLINE – Name: PublisherInfo Label: Imprint Name(s) Group: PubInfo Data: <i>Original Publication</i>: Lausanne : Frontiers Editorial Office – Name: SubjectMESH Label: MeSH Terms Group: Su Data: <searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Health+Literacy%22">Health Literacy*</searchLink>/<searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Health+Literacy+statistics+%26+numerical+data%22">statistics & numerical data</searchLink> <br /><searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Students%22">Students*</searchLink>/<searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Students+statistics+%26+numerical+data%22">statistics & numerical data</searchLink> <br /><searchLink fieldCode="MM" term="%22Computer+Literacy%22">Computer Literacy*</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Humans%22">Humans</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22China%22">China</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Cross-Sectional+Studies%22">Cross-Sectional Studies</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Female%22">Female</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Universities%22">Universities</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Male%22">Male</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Surveys+and+Questionnaires%22">Surveys and Questionnaires</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Aged%22">Aged</searchLink> ; <searchLink fieldCode="MH" term="%22Middle+Aged%22">Middle Aged</searchLink> – Name: Abstract Label: Abstract Group: Ab Data: Background: Digital competence may influence older adults' engagement with health information in increasingly digitalized societies. However, evidence on the association between DigComp 2.2-based digital competence and multidimensional health literacy remains limited. This study examined digital competence levels and its associations with health literacy domains among older adult learners in Shanghai Universities of the Third Age.<br />Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from September to December 2024 in four public Universities of the Third Age in Shanghai, China. A total of 600 learners were recruited using convenience sampling, and 558 valid responses were analyzed. Digital competence was assessed using a 22-item DigComp 2.2-based scale covering five competence areas. Health literacy was measured using the 44-item Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ) with nine independent scales. Descriptive analysis, correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression were performed. Digital competence was modeled per 10-point increase.<br />Results: The mean digital competence score was 63.4 (SD = 12.4), with communication and collaboration being the highest and digital content creation the lowest. HLQ scores varied across domains. All DigComp competence areas were positively correlated with HLQ scales (r = 0.285-0.538). Information and data literacy showed stronger correlations with health information-related HLQ domains. After adjustment, higher digital competence was significantly associated with appraisal of health information (B = 0.16, β = 0.284), navigating healthcare systems (B = 0.21, β = 0.312), finding good health information (B = 0.24, β = 0.338), and understanding health information (B = 0.19, β = 0.271; all p &lt; 0.001).<br />Conclusion: DigComp 2.2-based digital competence is positively associated with key domains of health literacy among older adult learners in Shanghai, particularly information appraisal, seeking, healthcare navigation, and understanding. Universities of the Third Age may serve as effective settings for integrated digital and health literacy education. Longitudinal and intervention studies are needed to confirm causality.<br /> (Copyright © 2026 Shen, Luo, Yang, Xu, Wei, Ma and Cao.) – Name: Abstract Label: Competing Interests Group: Ab Data: The author(s) declared that this work was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. – Name: Ref Label: References Group: RefInfo Data: Front Psychol. 2025 Feb 06;16:1524373. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2239981391%22">39981391)</searchLink><br />Bull World Health Organ. 2020 Apr 1;98(4):231-231A. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2232284641%22">32284641)</searchLink><br />Ageing Soc. 2018 Apr;38(4):651-675. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2229551843%22">29551843)</searchLink><br />Front Public Health. 2023 Feb 20;11:1109323. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2236891330%22">36891330)</searchLink><br />Front Public Health. 2026 Feb 12;14:1735211. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2241769106%22">41769106)</searchLink><br />Annu Rev Public Health. 2006;27:167-94. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2216533114%22">16533114)</searchLink><br />JAMA. 2013 Nov 27;310(20):2191-4. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2224141714%22">24141714)</searchLink><br />J Appl Gerontol. 2020 Feb;39(2):141-150. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2230353776%22">30353776)</searchLink><br />J Med Internet Res. 2022 Feb 16;24(2):e34790. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2235171099%22">35171099)</searchLink><br />Z Gesundh Wiss. 2023;31(5):679-687. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2234104627%22">34104627)</searchLink><br />BMC Public Health. 2025 Mar 07;25(1):919. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2240055684%22">40055684)</searchLink><br />Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2021 Jul 23;23(9):61. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2234297202%22">34297202)</searchLink><br />Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Jun 30;20(13):. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2237444116%22">37444116)</searchLink><br />BMC Public Health. 2012 Jan 25;12:80. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2222276600%22">22276600)</searchLink><br />Prev Med. 2022 Apr;157:106997. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2235189203%22">35189203)</searchLink><br />Behav Res Methods. 2009 Nov;41(4):1149-60. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2219897823%22">19897823)</searchLink><br />JAMA Netw Open. 2024 Sep 3;7(9):e2432733. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2239254981%22">39254981)</searchLink><br />PLoS One. 2016 Apr 06;11(4):e0152547. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2227050169%22">27050169)</searchLink><br />BMC Health Serv Res. 2022 Feb 12;22(1):188. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2235151302%22">35151302)</searchLink><br />Arch Public Health. 2024 Nov 7;82(1):204. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2239511667%22">39511667)</searchLink><br />BMC Public Health. 2022 May 17;22(1):996. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2235581565%22">35581565)</searchLink><br />Digit Health. 2023 May 25;9:20552076231178431. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2237256010%22">37256010)</searchLink><br />J Med Internet Res. 2006 Jun 16;8(2):e9. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2216867972%22">16867972)</searchLink><br />BMC Geriatr. 2024 Dec 21;24(1):1027. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2239709341%22">39709341)</searchLink><br />Front Public Health. 2022 Aug 05;10:906089. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2235991040%22">35991040)</searchLink><br />Front Public Health. 2026 Jan 14;13:1764365. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2241613061%22">41613061)</searchLink><br />Front Public Health. 2022 Oct 10;10:998710. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2236299739%22">36299739)</searchLink><br />Psychogeriatrics. 2023 Jul;23(4):609-620. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2237186342%22">37186342)</searchLink><br />Front Public Health. 2025 Mar 31;13:1568043. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2240231178%22">40231178)</searchLink><br />EClinicalMedicine. 2023 Jan 12;56:101821. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2236684393%22">36684393)</searchLink><br />BMC Public Health. 2013 Jul 16;13:658. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2223855504%22">23855504)</searchLink><br />BMC Public Health. 2022 Nov 29;22(1):2226. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2236447176%22">36447176)</searchLink><br />BMC Geriatr. 2023 Nov 27;23(1):779. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2238012565%22">38012565)</searchLink><br />NPJ Digit Med. 2024 Jun 29;7(1):173. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2238951666%22">38951666)</searchLink><br />PLOS Digit Health. 2023 Oct 12;2(10):e0000279. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2237824584%22">37824584)</searchLink><br />BMC Public Health. 2019 Sep 4;19(1):1220. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2231484512%22">31484512)</searchLink><br />J Med Internet Res. 2025 Jan 15;27:e62645. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2239813666%22">39813666)</searchLink><br />Lancet. 2022 Dec 3;400(10367):1967-2006. (PMID: <searchLink fieldCode="PM" term="%2236423650%22">36423650)</searchLink> – Name: SubjectMinor Label: Contributed Indexing Group: Data: <i>Keywords: </i>DigComp 2.2; HLQ; Universities of the Third Age; digital competence; digital inclusion; healthy aging; multidimensional health literacy; older adult learners – Name: DateEntry Label: Entry Date(s) Group: Date Data: <i>Date Created: </i>20260915 <i>Date Completed: </i>20260915 <i>Latest Revision: </i>20260916 – Name: DateUpdate Label: Update Code Group: Date Data: 20260916 – Name: PubmedCentralID Label: PubMed Central ID Group: ID Data: PMC13572664 – Name: DOI Label: DOI Group: ID Data: 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1883493 – Name: AN Label: PMID Group: ID Data: 42741101 |
| PLink | https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=cmedm&AN=42741101 |
| RecordInfo | BibRecord: BibEntity: Identifiers: – Type: doi Value: 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1883493 Languages: – Code: eng Text: English PhysicalDescription: Pagination: StartPage: 1883493 Subjects: – SubjectFull: Humans Type: general – SubjectFull: China Type: general – SubjectFull: Cross-Sectional Studies Type: general – SubjectFull: Female Type: general – SubjectFull: Universities Type: general – SubjectFull: Male Type: general – SubjectFull: Surveys and Questionnaires Type: general – SubjectFull: Aged Type: general – SubjectFull: Middle Aged Type: general – SubjectFull: Health Literacy statistics & numerical data Type: general – SubjectFull: Students statistics & numerical data Type: general – SubjectFull: Computer Literacy Type: general Titles: – TitleFull: Associations between DigComp 2.2-based digital competence and multidimensional health literacy among older adult learners in Shanghai Universities of the Third Age: a cross-sectional study. Type: main BibRelationships: HasContributorRelationships: – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Shen X – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Luo Y – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Yang C – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Xu O – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Wei Y – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Ma Q – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Cao J IsPartOfRelationships: – BibEntity: Dates: – D: 31 M: 08 Text: 2026 Aug 31 Type: published Y: 2026 Identifiers: – Type: issn-electronic Value: 2296-2565 Numbering: – Type: volume Value: 14 Titles: – TitleFull: Frontiers in public health Type: main |
| ResultId | 1 |