Self-efficacy as a mediator between health technology readiness and health-related quality of life: A survey study with mediation analysis
Anna Vahteristo, Virpi Jylhä, Hanna KuusistoBackground
Digital health supports self-management of preference-sensitive conditions and improves health-related quality of life (HR-QoL). Additionally, digital health literacy (DHL) is positively associated with HR-QoL, although not always directly, with self-efficacy as a mediator. Health technology readiness, as a broader concept, encompasses DHL and may further enhance understanding of these relationships.
Objective
This study aimed to examine the relationship between health technology readiness and HR-QoL and the potential mediating role of self-efficacy in this association among people with preference-sensitive neurological conditions.
Methods
The cross-sectional study used Finnish versions of the Readiness and Enablement Index for Health Technology (READHY-FIN), Self-Efficacy for Managing Chronic Disease (SEMCD-FIN), and EuroQol five-dimensional questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L) to assess health technology readiness, self-efficacy, and HR-QoL. A linear regression model was used to investigate associations between the constructs, and the PROCESS Macro for SPSS was used to test self-efficacy as a possible mediator.
Results
The domains of health technology readiness: DHL (
Conclusions
Self-efficacy mediates the associations of DHL and social support with HR-QoL, whereas self-management had both direct and indirect associations. These findings emphasize a holistic approach of health technology readiness in the development of digital health.