@article{article_1754323, title={The mediating role of perceived stress: an examination of the relationship between health literacy and healthy living awareness}, journal={Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine}, volume={8}, pages={1000–1005}, year={2025}, DOI={10.32322/jhsm.1754323}, author={Yeşildal, Müjdat and Aydoğdu, Adil and Çelen, Rumeysa and Yaver, Tunahan}, keywords={Health literacy, stress, awareness, health behavior}, abstract={Aims: This study aimed to explore the mediating effect of perceived stress on the relationship between health literacy and healthy lifestyle awareness. It was hypothesized that health literacy would positively predict healthy lifestyle awareness, directly and indirectly, by reducing levels of perceived stress. Methods: This research adopted a cross-sectional and correlational design. The sample consisted of 1,150 adults residing in Konya, Turkiye. Data collection instruments included validated measures of Health Literacy, Perceived Stress, and Healthy Life Awareness. Descriptive analyses and Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated, followed by mediation testing through structural equation modeling. The significance of indirect effects was assessed using bootstrapping with 5,000 resamples and 95% confidence intervals. Results: The sample consisted of 1,150 adults residing in Konya, with a mean age of 30.48. The majority were female (54.3%), single (59.7%), and university graduates (59.1%). The findings demonstrated that health literacy positively predicted healthy lifestyle awareness (β=0.43, p <0.001) and negatively predicted perceived stress (β=-0.21, p <0.001). In turn, perceived stress negatively predicted healthy lifestyle awareness (β=-0.19, p <0.001). Mediation analysis revealed a significant indirect effect of health literacy on healthy lifestyle awareness through perceived stress [β=0.02, 95% CI (0.01-0.04)]. These results supported the hypothesized mediating model. Conclusion: The study proves that perceived stress partially mediates the relationship between health literacy and healthy lifestyle awareness. Improving health literacy may reduce perceived stress, enhancing individuals’ understanding of healthy living. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating stress management and health literacy education into university health programs to promote holistic well-being.}, number={6}, publisher={MediHealth Academy Yayıncılık}