Samantha R. Paige|M. David Miller|Janice L. Krieger|Michael Stellefson|JeeWon Cheong
Electronic Health Literacy Across the Lifespan: Measurement Invariance Study
University of Florida Health|University of Florida|University of Florida|University of Florida Health|University of Florida|East Carolina University|University of Florida Health
background electronic health ehealth information ingrained healthcare experience engage patients across lifespan ehealth accessibility optimization influenced lifespan development older adults experience greater challenges accessing using ehealth tools compared younger counterparts ehealth literacy scale eheals popular measure used assess patient confidence locating understanding evaluating acting upon online health information currently however factor structure eheals across discrete age groups well understood limits usefulness measure ehealth literacy across lifespan objective purpose study examine structure eheals scores degree measurement invariance among us adults representing following generations millennials 1835yearolds generation x 3651yearolds baby boomers 5270yearolds silent generation 7184yearolds methods millennials n281 mean 2664 years sd 514 generation x n164 mean 4297 years sd 501 baby boomerssilent generation n384 mean 6280 years sd 666 members completed eheals 3factor root mean square error approximation rmsea06 comparative fit index cfi99 tuckerlewis index tli98 4factor rmsea06 cfi99 tli98 models showed best global fit compared 1 2factor models however 4factor model statistically significant factor loadings 4th factor led acceptance 3factor eheals model 3factor model included ehealth information awareness search engagement pattern invariance 3factor structure supported acceptable model fit rmsea07 2p05 cfi0 compared millennials members generation x baby boomer silent generations reported less confidence awareness ehealth resources p05 cfi0 compared younger adults older adults less confidence ehealth resource awareness p001 information seeking skills p01 ability evaluate act upon online health information p001 conclusions eheals used assess monitor uniquely evaluate internet users awareness ehealth resources information seeking skills engagement abilities configural pattern invariance observed across generation groups 3factor eheals model meet gold standards factor interpretation ie 3 items indicators per factor future research needed create assess additional eheals items future research also necessary identify test items fourth factor one captures social nature ehealth