Psychological perceptions to behavioral engagement: testing a mediated structural model of smart interactive product use and subjective wellbeing in older adults

Background As population aging and digitalization advance, smart interactive products are becoming part of older adults’ everyday lives. Although these technologies are expected to support independence, communication, and wellbeing, existing findings remain mixed. Prior research has focused mainly on technology acceptance or general use, with limited attention to how older adults’ psychological perceptions are translated into behavioral engagement and, in turn, subjective wellbeing. This study therefore proposes the Technology Engagement and Wellbeing (TEW) model to explain this mechanism. Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted among adults aged 60 years and above with prior experience using smart interactive products. Of 2,686 collected questionnaires, 2,635 valid responses were retained. Psychological perceptions were represented by perceived usefulness, technology self-efficacy, and technology anxiety. Behavioral engagement was modeled as a multidimensional construct including usage frequency, functional diversity, and interactive depth. Structural equation modeling and bootstrap analysis were used to test the hypothesized relationships, and digital literacy was examined as a moderator. Results The structural model showed good fit to the data ( χ 2 /df = 2.618, CFI = 0.979, TLI = 0.977, RMSEA = 0.025). Psychological perceptions were positively associated with behavioral engagement ( β = 0.651, p < 0.001) and psychological need satisfaction ( β = 0.441, p < 0.001). Behavioral engagement was positively associated with psychological need satisfaction ( β = 0.255, p < 0.001) and subjective wellbeing ( β = 0.115, p < 0.001), while psychological need satisfaction was positively associated with subjective wellbeing ( β = 0.422, p < 0.001). The serial indirect association of psychological perceptions with subjective wellbeing through behavioral engagement and psychological need satisfaction was significant [ β = 0.070, 95% CI (0.058, 0.084)]. Digital literacy also significantly moderated the association between psychological perceptions and behavioral engagement ( β = 0.390, p < 0.001). Conclusion The wellbeing value of smart interactive products lies not in access alone, but in whether positive psychological perceptions can be translated into active engagement that supports autonomy, competence, and relatedness. The TEW model provides an integrated framework for understanding how smart interactive product use becomes beneficial in later life.