Digital health literacy and health-related quality of life: A cross-sectional study in a community sample from Türkiye

This study aimed to examine the effect of digital health literacy (DHL) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among individuals aged 18 years and older residing in Hatay, Türkiye. A cross-sectional and descriptive design was employed, and data were collected from 1,003 participants using a convenience sampling method between November 17 and December 21, 2025. Data were obtained through face-to-face surveys using a structured questionnaire, the Digital Health Literacy Scale, and the EUROHIS Quality of Life Scale. Descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, normality analysis, and simple linear regression analysis were conducted using SPSS software. The mean DHL score was 2.91 (SD = 0.47), while the mean HRQoL score was 3.29 (SD = 0.72). Regression analysis indicated that DHL significantly predicted HRQoL (B = 0.373, p < .001), although the model explained a limited proportion of the variance (R2 = 0.058). These findings suggest that while digital health literacy contributes to quality of life, it represents only one of multiple determinants of well-being. Improving digital health literacy may support healthier behaviors, better self-management, and enhanced well-being, particularly within increasingly digitalized health systems.