The mediating effects of self-efficacy, family health, and perceived stress on the relationship between perceived social support and eHealth literacy in nursing students: a structural equation model

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to explore the association between perceived social support and eHealth literacy in Chinese nursing students, with a particular emphasis on the mediating effects of self-efficacy, family health, and perceived stress within this relationship. METHOD: This study utilized data drawn from the 2023 Psychology and Behavior Investigation of Chinese Residents (PBICR) survey, which involved a sample of 967 nursing students. Structural equation modeling was utilized to examine the relationships among the study variables. RESULTS: The mediating effect analysis revealed a negative direct relationship between perceived social support and eHealth literacy in Chinese nursing students (β = -0.149, p < 0.001). Both self-efficacy (β = 0.124, p < 0.05) and family health (β = 0.148, p < 0.05) acted as mediators in the association between perceived social support and eHealth literacy. Additionally, perceived social support positively affected eHealth literacy through a chain mediation of self-efficacy, perceived stress, and family health (β = 0.008, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study provides valuable insights for developing strategies to enhance nursing students' eHealth literacy, ultimately contributing to their professional development and the quality of healthcare services they provide.