Association of digital literacy and self-management behaviors with health-related life satisfaction among older Korean adults with chronic diseases: a secondary analysis of cross-sectional survey data

Amid the rapidly evolving healthcare system, older adults with chronic diseases frequently encounter poor access to healthcare services, limited use of public healthcare resources or governmental welfare programs, and difficulties in managing their conditions, owing to low digital literacy. Despite these potential impacts, studies examining digital literacy, self-management, and health-related life satisfaction among older Korean adults with chronic disease remain limited. This study aimed to examine the associations between digital literacy, self-management behaviors, and health-related life satisfaction in older Korean adults with chronic diseases. This is a cross-sectional, secondary analysis. Data were obtained from the 2023 National Survey of Older Koreans, which is conducted every 3 years, by the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare. The study population comprised 6,360 older Koreans adults aged ≥ 65 years with at least one chronic disease, who possessed an information technology device. Descriptive statistics, t -tests, analysis of variance, Pearson correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression analyses were performed using SAS version 9.4 and R version 4.4.1. We observed significant positive correlations among digital literacy, self-management behaviors, and health-related life satisfaction. Specifically, multiple linear regression analysis indicated that digital literacy (β = 0.15, P < .001) and its subfactors (information technology device usage [β = 0.04, P = .019] and information technology device utilization [β = 0.15, P < .001]) were significantly and positively associated with health-related life satisfaction. Similarly, self-management behaviors (β = 0.13, P < .001) and their subfactors (exercise [β = 0.09, P < .001] and nutrition management [β = 0.17, P < .001]) were positively associated with health-related life satisfaction. Alcohol abstinence (β = –0.09, P < .001) showed a significant negative association with health-related life satisfaction, which may be explained by the baseline health conditions of those who abstain, whereas smoking cessation did not exhibit a statistically significant association. Digital literacy and self-management behaviors were associated with health-related life satisfaction among older Korean adults with chronic disease. The cross-sectional design precludes causal inference; these findings offer preliminary support for tailored digital and self-management education, pending confirmation of causality by longitudinal studies.