Mediating effect of depressive symptoms on the relationship between digital literacy and cognitive function in older adults

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundAlthough several studies have examined the individual relationships between digital literacy, cognitive function, and depressive symptoms, few have integrated all three factors into a single model. In this study, we aim to address this gap in the literature by investigating the mediating effect of depressive symptoms on the relationship between digital literacy and cognition. By doing so, we hope to contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the complex interplay among these variables and their implications for mental health and well‐being.MethodParticipants were 7988 adults, 65 or older, who participated in Living Profiles of Older People Survey (LPOPS) 2020. The main exposure was digital literacy (communication literacy, information literacy, online transactions literacy, media literacy). The main outcome was depressive symptoms measured by Korean version of the 15‐item Geriatric Depression Scale (SGDS‐K), and cognitive function measured by a Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) score. Multiple linear regression analyses and mediation analysis were performed.ResultAfter adjusting for covariates, our analysis found a significant association between digital literacy and both depressive symptoms and cognitive function (β of four types of digital literacy and depressive symptoms = ‐0.73, ‐0.152, ‐0.942, and ‐1.041 respectively, β of four types of digital literacy and cognitive function = 2.102, 2.217, 1.620, and 2.276 respectively). Moreover, our study suggests that depressive symptoms play a mediating role in the relationship between both online transactions and media literacy with cognitive function (95% CI of indirect effects = 0.1051 to 0.1928 and 0.1104 to 0.1864 respectively), implying an indirect pathway (digital literacy → depression → cognitive function).ConclusionThis study sheds light on the relationship between digital literacy, depressive symptoms, and cognitive function in older adults. We found that depressive symptoms mediate the association between specific aspects of digital literacy (online transactions and media literacy) and cognitive function. Our results indicate that community‐based digital literacy programs could be effective interventions for reducing depression and preserving or improving cognitive function in older adults.