The relationship between digital health literacy and health anxiety among Chinese older adults: the role of aging attitudes and physical activity.

Digital health literacy was significantly and negatively associated with health anxiety among Chinese older adults.

• The standardized regression coefficient was β = -0.239, p < 0.01.
• A total of 535 Chinese older adults were recruited using a convenience sampling strategy.
• Validated standardized questionnaires were used to assess digital health literacy, health anxiety, aging attitudes, and physical activity levels.
• Participants were recruited using a convenience sampling strategy.

Aging attitudes independently mediated the relationship between digital health literacy and health anxiety.

• The indirect mediation effect of aging attitudes was significant with 95% CI (-0.080, -0.025), indicating the confidence interval excluded zero.
• The mediation analysis was conducted using the Bootstrap method.
• This suggests that higher digital health literacy was associated with more positive aging attitudes, which in turn reduced health anxiety.

Physical activity independently mediated the relationship between digital health literacy and health anxiety.

• The indirect mediation effect of physical activity was significant with 95% CI (-0.029, -0.002), indicating the confidence interval excluded zero.
• The mediation analysis was conducted using the Bootstrap method.
• This suggests that higher digital health literacy was associated with higher physical activity levels, which in turn reduced health anxiety.

A significant chain mediation effect through aging attitudes followed by physical activity was observed in the relationship between digital health literacy and health anxiety.

• The chain mediation effect was significant with 95% CI (-0.008, -0.001), indicating the confidence interval excluded zero.
• The chain mediation was tested using the Bootstrap method.
• This pathway suggests digital health literacy promotes positive aging attitudes, which then promotes physical activity, which in turn reduces health anxiety.
• Both independent and chain mediation pathways were identified in the same model.

Digital health literacy was proposed to alleviate health anxiety both directly and indirectly through psychological and behavioral mechanisms.

• Direct effect was captured by β = -0.239, p < 0.01.
• Indirect pathways operated through aging attitudes (95% CI: -0.080, -0.025), physical activity (95% CI: -0.029, -0.002), and their chain (95% CI: -0.008, -0.001).
• The authors conclude that 'integrated strategies combining digital skills training, positive aging education, and physical activity promotion may be effective in enhancing the mental and physical health of older adults.'