The Influence Mechanism of Social Support And Health Literacy on Chinese Residents' Physical and Mental Health

Abstract

Objectives: Earlier available studies focus primarily on the prime factors as determinants explaining the life background of patients with chronic diseases. However, a gap is yet to be filled in exploring the mediating role of health literacy not only between mental health but also for physical health. Methods: Therefore, the present study aims to examine the direct effect of social support and health literacy and its mediating effect on two dimensions of health. A convenient sampling technique has helped the researchers to achieve a valid sample of 318 community members in villages, towns, and cities with both mental and physical health recovery. Results: The results via hypotheses testing through the Smart PLS 4 version state the following: (1) social support has its significantly improves mental health recovery but does not play such a role in physical health recovery. (2) health literacy improves significantly both mental and physical health. (3) health literacy demonstrates partial mediation on the association between social support and physical health. (4) conversely, it reflects a full mediating effect between social support and mental health recovery. Conclusion: To promote the recovery of both mental and physical health, society members, friends, and family relatives are suggested to strengthen the phenomenon of social support. An improvement in the health literacy of persons who want to improve their physical and mental health may also provide substantial results.