Understanding how digital health literacy affects health self-management behaviors: The mediating role of self-efficacy in college students
Abstract This study examines the impact of digital health literacy (DHL) on health self-management behaviors among college students. It determines whether self-efficacy serves as a mediator in the relationship between DHL and health self-management behaviors. A cross-sectional study was conducted am...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2025-07-01
|
| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-12726-9 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| Summary: | Abstract This study examines the impact of digital health literacy (DHL) on health self-management behaviors among college students. It determines whether self-efficacy serves as a mediator in the relationship between DHL and health self-management behaviors. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 741 college students selected from five universities in Jiangsu Province, China. Standardized scales were used to collect data on digital health literacy (eHEALS), self-efficacy (GSES), and health self-management behaviors (SRAS). Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS 26.0, Mplus 7.4, and the PROCESS macro. The study finds that college students’ DHL, self-efficacy, and health self-management were at moderate to high levels. With correlation values ranging from 0.468 to 0.624 (P < 0.01), the study found a positive relationship between DHL, self-efficacy, and health self-management. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that health self-assessment status, DHL, and self-efficacy significantly influenced health self-management (F = 123.734, P < 0.001, R2 = 0.542). With an indirect impact value of 0.139 (95% bootstrap CI 0.105 to 0.177), self-efficacy plays a crucial mediating role in the relationship between DHL and health self-management. It is recommended that educational institutions cultivate DHL and self-efficacy among college students to promote effective health self-management. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 2045-2322 |