Health Literacy and Health-Related Quality of Life in Beijing Adolescents: A Path Analysis

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Health literacy is a critical driver of achieving an equitable world for every child and adolescent. Although the relationship between health literacy and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) has been documented, little is known among adolescents. In addition, due to lack of theory-driven empirical research, it remains unknown about the full relationship between health literacy, its antecedents, and HRQoL. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to apply Manganello's framework to investigate how health literacy was associated with its antecedents and HRQoL in Beijing secondary students. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 650 students in years 7 to 9 from four secondary schools in Beijing. Based on Manganello's health literacy framework, a self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information on health literacy, its antecedents (i.e., sociodemographics, self-efficacy, social support, school and community environment), and HRQoL. The 8-item Health Literacy Assessment Tool was used to measure health literacy (score range 0-37), and the KIDSCREEN-10 was used to measure HRQoL (score range 10-50). Path analysis was conducted to examine the mediating role of health literacy in the relationship between its antecedents and HRQoL. KEY RESULTS: Overall, the average score of students' health literacy and HRQoL was 26.37 (±5.89) and 37.49 (±5.78), respectively. Health literacy was positively correlated with HRQoL (r = 0.36, p < .01). In the final path model, health literacy was not associated with HRQoL. However, students' social support, school environment, and community environment were associated with HRQoL. Health literacy was affected by self-efficacy, social support, and school environment (all p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: A range of intrapersonal, interpersonal, and environmental factors were associated with health literacy and HRQoL. A holistic approach is needed to improve health literacy and HRQoL through multilevel intervention strategies such as increasing personal self-efficacy, promoting social support, and creating positive environments. [HLRP: Health Literacy Research and Practice. 2022;6(4):e300-e309.] Plain Language Summary: We investigated how health literacy was related to its influencing factors and HRQoL among Beijing secondary students in years 7 to 9. Health literacy and HRQoL were independent outcomes affected by a range of social-ecological factors including self-efficacy, social support, and perceptions of school and community environments.