Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
AUSTRALIAN PSYCHOLOGIST, cilt.1, sa.1, ss.1-11, 2025 (SSCI)
ABSTRACT
Objective: While health literacy is known to impact general well-being positively, the underlying
mechanisms of this relationship are not fully understood. The current study examined the
associations between health literacy and general well-being in adults, focusing on the mediating
roles of the perceived importance of health and self-awareness behaviours and the
moderating influence of health status.
Method: This study collected data via an online survey from a total of 2,101 Turkish-speaking
adults, 1,482 females (70.5%) and 619 males (29.95%), aged between 17 and 60, with a mean
age of 25.58 (SD = 9.66). Data collection was conducted during January and February 2023.
Participants completed self-reported measures assessing health literacy, the importance of
health, self-awareness, well-being, and health status.
Results: Mediation analysis indicated that health literacy is linked to general well-being
through the importance of health [effect = 0.13, 95% [0.05, 0.11]) and self-awareness [effect
= 0.06, 95% [0.05, 0.11]). Moderation analysis revealed a significant moderating effect of health
status on the relationship between self-awareness and general well-being, with a significant
relationship only evident among those reporting good health (B = 0.051, p < 0.05).
Conclusions: Enhancing health literacy is essential for improving general well-being by
promoting individuals’ understanding of health and fostering self-awareness. Understanding
how health literacy and changes in health status impact well-being can inform the development
of targeted interventions aimed at promoting both well-being and health outcomes.
KEY POINTS
What is already known about this topic:
(1) There is a relationship between health literacy and positive health outcomes, often attributed
to the adoption of health-promoting behaviours.
(2) Previous studies have indicated that health literacy contributes significantly to an individual’s
health and well-being.
(3) Health literacy has been linked to better health awareness and the perceived importance of
health, which play important roles in promoting healthier lifestyles.
What this topic adds:
(1) This study revealed that health literacy is indirectly related to general well-being through
mediating roles of the perceived importance of health and self-awareness behaviours.
(2) The findings highlight that self-awareness positively relates to general well-being primarily
among individuals with good health status.
(3) Enhancing health literacy levels can be a strategic approach to improving general wellbeing
by promoting an understanding of health importance and fostering self-awareness.