Guang-Hui Cui1, Shao-Jie Li2, Yong-Tian Yin3, Li-Jun Chen4, Jia-Qin Li5, Feng-Yuan Liang6, Xin-Yao Liu6, Lei Chen1. 1. School of Acupuncture and Tuina, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China. 2. Department of Social Medicine and Health Service Management, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China. 3. School of Nursing, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China. yinyongtian@sdutcm.edu.cn. 4. School of Nursing, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China. chlj_2008@aliyun.com. 5. School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China. 6. School of Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Social capital has been linked to health behaviours, but the underlying mechanism is unclear. Previous studies have found that health literacy played the role of a mediator in the relationships among social capital, individual physical activity and nutrition. But it is not clear whether eHealth literacy mediates the impact of social capital on health behaviours. Therefore, our research aimed to explore the relationships among social capital (structural and cognitive social capital), eHealth literacy, and the health behaviours of elderly people, and to analyse the mediating effect of eHealth literacy, while providing a theoretical basis for a health behaviour intervention for elderly people. METHODS: From January to February 2019, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of 1201 Chinese people aged over 60 years using the Chinese Shortened Social Capital Scale (contains two subscales of structural social capital and cognitive social capital), eHealth Literacy Scale, and Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile. We used structural equation modelling to test a hypothetical mediation model. RESULTS: The mean scores of social capital was 72.07 (SD = 13.03), 17.24 (SD = 9.34) for eHealth literacy, and 112.23 (SD = 23.25) for health behaviours. Social capital and eHealth literacy were significantly correlated with health behaviours, and social capital and structural social capital were significantly correlated with eHealth literacy. Lastly, eHealth literacy mediated the relationship between structural social capital and health behaviours. CONCLUSIONS: eHealth literacy was an important mediating factor for elderly people's structural social capital and health behaviours. Therefore, social capital and eHealth literacy must be considered when designing and implementing health behaviour intervention programmes for elderly people.
BACKGROUND: Social capital has been linked to health behaviours, but the underlying mechanism is unclear. Previous studies have found that health literacy played the role of a mediator in the relationships among social capital, individual physical activity and nutrition. But it is not clear whether eHealth literacy mediates the impact of social capital on health behaviours. Therefore, our research aimed to explore the relationships among social capital (structural and cognitive social capital), eHealth literacy, and the health behaviours of elderly people, and to analyse the mediating effect of eHealth literacy, while providing a theoretical basis for a health behaviour intervention for elderly people. METHODS: From January to February 2019, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of 1201 Chinese people aged over 60 years using the Chinese Shortened Social Capital Scale (contains two subscales of structural social capital and cognitive social capital), eHealth Literacy Scale, and Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile. We used structural equation modelling to test a hypothetical mediation model. RESULTS: The mean scores of social capital was 72.07 (SD = 13.03), 17.24 (SD = 9.34) for eHealth literacy, and 112.23 (SD = 23.25) for health behaviours. Social capital and eHealth literacy were significantly correlated with health behaviours, and social capital and structural social capital were significantly correlated with eHealth literacy. Lastly, eHealth literacy mediated the relationship between structural social capital and health behaviours. CONCLUSIONS: eHealth literacy was an important mediating factor for elderly people's structural social capital and health behaviours. Therefore, social capital and eHealth literacy must be considered when designing and implementing health behaviour intervention programmes for elderly people.
Entities:
Keywords:
Elderly people; Health behaviours; Social capital; eHealth literacy
Authors: Mathias Roberto Loch; Regina Kazue Tanno de Souza; Arthur Eumann Mesas; David Martinez-Gómez; Fernando Rodríguez-Artalejo Journal: Cad Saude Publica Date: 2015-08 Impact factor: 1.632