인터넷 건강정보문해력, 불안, 우울과 영적안녕이 한국 노인의 외로움에 미치는 영향

Influence of Internet Health Literacy, Anxiety, Depression, and Spiritual Well-being on Loneliness Among Elderly Koreans

Purpose: This purpose of this study was twofold: 1) to determine the status of internet health literacy, anxiety, depression, spiritual well-being, and loneliness among older adults in Korea, and 2) to identify the factors influencing loneliness. Methods: Data were collected during October 2024. The 192 participants were all age 65 and older and had no cognitive problems. Self-reported structured questionnaires were used to measure levels of internet health literacy, anxiety, depression, spiritual well-being, and loneliness. Data were analyzed using the independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Scheffé test, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and stepwise multiple regression using SPSS/WIN 26.0. Results: Correlation analyses confirmed that participants’ loneliness was significantly associated with internet health literacy, anxiety, depression, and spiritual well-being (p＜.001). In the regression model, the significant variables influencing loneliness were spiritual well-being (β=−.46), anxiety (β=.24), internet health literacy (β=−.23), and gender (β=.15), with a model explanatory power of 50.7% for loneliness. Conclusion: More loneliness interventions are needed for older men with high levels of loneliness, and effective nursing interventions should be considered for loneliness, such as hope-promoting strategies, internet health literacy education, and supportive care to reduce anxiety.