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Background <p>With the rapid development of digital technology, digital health literacy (DHL) has become an important factor influencing the health behaviors of older adults. However, research on the relationship between DHL and mental health-promoting behaviors remains limited. This study aims to explore the relationship between DHL and mental health-promoting behaviors among older adults and to analyze the mediating role of health beliefs.</p> Methods <p>This was a cross-sectional study conducted from April to September 2024. The total sample consisted of 386 older adults recruited through purposive sampling, with 199 males (51.6%) and 187 females (48.4%). The mean age of the sample was 69.59 ± 6.13 years. Data were collected using the eHealth Literacy Scale, the Champion Health Belief Model Scale, and the General Help-Seeking Questionnaire.</p> Results <p>Structural equation modeling path analyses showed that DHL was significantly and directly associated with three mental health promotion behaviors: self-help (SH) (<i>b</i> = 0.485, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.05), professional help-seeking (PHS) (<i>b</i> = 0.470, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.05), and non-professional help-seeking (NPHS) (<i>b</i> = 0.609, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.05). Mediation analyses further revealed differentiated indirect pathways via Health Belief Model components. Specifically, perceived benefits exhibited the strongest and most consistent positive mediating effects across SH, PHS, and NPHS. Perceived susceptibility showed behavior-specific mediation: it positively mediated the DHL–SH relationship but negatively mediated the DHL–NPHS relationship. Self-efficacy also positively mediated the DHL–SH relationship.Perceived severity exerted positive mediating effects on both PHS and NPHS. Conversely, perceived barriers negatively mediated the relationship between DHL and PHS.</p> Conclusion <p>Based on the findings of this study, in the digital age, digital healthcare and smart elderly care institutions should prioritize improving DHL among older adults, enhancing their access to healthcare services and health knowledge, and sharing the benefits of digital health services. Additionally, efforts should be made to actively promote the benefits of mental health-promoting behaviors, helping the public strengthen health beliefs and reduce psychological barriers when seeking mental health support.</p>

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The relationship between digital health literacy and mental health promotion behaviors among Chinese older adults: exploring the mediating role of health beliefs

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年2月19日

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  • Yingbo Zhu,
  • Zhijuan Du,
  • Yu Zhang,
  • Xiao Li,
  • Zehui Wen

摘要

Background

With the rapid development of digital technology, digital health literacy (DHL) has become an important factor influencing the health behaviors of older adults. However, research on the relationship between DHL and mental health-promoting behaviors remains limited. This study aims to explore the relationship between DHL and mental health-promoting behaviors among older adults and to analyze the mediating role of health beliefs.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study conducted from April to September 2024. The total sample consisted of 386 older adults recruited through purposive sampling, with 199 males (51.6%) and 187 females (48.4%). The mean age of the sample was 69.59 ± 6.13 years. Data were collected using the eHealth Literacy Scale, the Champion Health Belief Model Scale, and the General Help-Seeking Questionnaire.

Results

Structural equation modeling path analyses showed that DHL was significantly and directly associated with three mental health promotion behaviors: self-help (SH) (b = 0.485, p < 0.05), professional help-seeking (PHS) (b = 0.470, p < 0.05), and non-professional help-seeking (NPHS) (b = 0.609, p < 0.05). Mediation analyses further revealed differentiated indirect pathways via Health Belief Model components. Specifically, perceived benefits exhibited the strongest and most consistent positive mediating effects across SH, PHS, and NPHS. Perceived susceptibility showed behavior-specific mediation: it positively mediated the DHL–SH relationship but negatively mediated the DHL–NPHS relationship. Self-efficacy also positively mediated the DHL–SH relationship.Perceived severity exerted positive mediating effects on both PHS and NPHS. Conversely, perceived barriers negatively mediated the relationship between DHL and PHS.

Conclusion

Based on the findings of this study, in the digital age, digital healthcare and smart elderly care institutions should prioritize improving DHL among older adults, enhancing their access to healthcare services and health knowledge, and sharing the benefits of digital health services. Additionally, efforts should be made to actively promote the benefits of mental health-promoting behaviors, helping the public strengthen health beliefs and reduce psychological barriers when seeking mental health support.