Research Article

The mediating role of perceived stress: an examination of the relationship between health literacy and healthy living awareness

Volume: 8 Number: 6 October 25, 2025
TR EN

The mediating role of perceived stress: an examination of the relationship between health literacy and healthy living awareness

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.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Health Promotion, Public Health (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

October 25, 2025

Submission Date

August 4, 2025

Acceptance Date

September 18, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 8 Number: 6

APA
Yeşildal, M., Aydoğdu, A., Çelen, R., & Yaver, T. (2025). The mediating role of perceived stress: an examination of the relationship between health literacy and healthy living awareness. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine, 8(6), 1000-1005. https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1754323
AMA
1.Yeşildal M, Aydoğdu A, Çelen R, Yaver T. The mediating role of perceived stress: an examination of the relationship between health literacy and healthy living awareness. J Health Sci Med / JHSM. 2025;8(6):1000-1005. doi:10.32322/jhsm.1754323
Chicago
Yeşildal, Müjdat, Adil Aydoğdu, Rumeysa Çelen, and Tunahan Yaver. 2025. “The Mediating Role of Perceived Stress: An Examination of the Relationship Between Health Literacy and Healthy Living Awareness”. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine 8 (6): 1000-1005. https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1754323.
EndNote
Yeşildal M, Aydoğdu A, Çelen R, Yaver T (October 1, 2025) The mediating role of perceived stress: an examination of the relationship between health literacy and healthy living awareness. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine 8 6 1000–1005.
IEEE
[1]M. Yeşildal, A. Aydoğdu, R. Çelen, and T. Yaver, “The mediating role of perceived stress: an examination of the relationship between health literacy and healthy living awareness”, J Health Sci Med / JHSM, vol. 8, no. 6, pp. 1000–1005, Oct. 2025, doi: 10.32322/jhsm.1754323.
ISNAD
Yeşildal, Müjdat - Aydoğdu, Adil - Çelen, Rumeysa - Yaver, Tunahan. “The Mediating Role of Perceived Stress: An Examination of the Relationship Between Health Literacy and Healthy Living Awareness”. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine 8/6 (October 1, 2025): 1000-1005. https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1754323.
JAMA
1.Yeşildal M, Aydoğdu A, Çelen R, Yaver T. The mediating role of perceived stress: an examination of the relationship between health literacy and healthy living awareness. J Health Sci Med / JHSM. 2025;8:1000–1005.
MLA
Yeşildal, Müjdat, et al. “The Mediating Role of Perceived Stress: An Examination of the Relationship Between Health Literacy and Healthy Living Awareness”. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine, vol. 8, no. 6, Oct. 2025, pp. 1000-5, doi:10.32322/jhsm.1754323.
Vancouver
1.Müjdat Yeşildal, Adil Aydoğdu, Rumeysa Çelen, Tunahan Yaver. The mediating role of perceived stress: an examination of the relationship between health literacy and healthy living awareness. J Health Sci Med / JHSM. 2025 Oct. 1;8(6):1000-5. doi:10.32322/jhsm.1754323

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