How perceived risk of recurrence strengthens health management awareness in stroke patients: the chain mediating role of risk fear and health literacy

Abstract

Background: Prior research has found that perceived risk in stroke patients motivates health behaviors in visitors. However, the role that perceived risk of recurrence in stroke patients plays in reinforcing health management awareness during the motivation phase is unclear. Objective: This study explores this issue by examining the effects of risk fear and health literacy on health management awareness due to perceived risk of recurrence in stroke patients. Methods: We validated the effect of perceived risk of recurrence on health management awareness and its internal mechanism by constructing a structural equation model and including 763 stroke patients, extending the relevant literature and application of the Healthy Behavior Procedural Approach (HAPA) model. Result: The results suggest that perceived risk of recurrence in stroke patients can effectively reinforce and improve health management awareness, with risk fear and health literacy having a chain-mediated role in this group relationship. Conclusion: This study reveals the differential effects of perceived risk of recurrence, risk fear, and health literacy in stroke patients on health management awareness at the individual level, providing valuable guidance for healthcare practitioners and families to improve patients’ health outcomes and health well-being.