The Journal of Practical Medicine ›› 2026, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (7): 1235-1242.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-5725.2026.07.016

• Chronic Disease Control • Previous Articles    

Analysis of the parallel mediating effects of health literacy and self-efficacy on empowerment and quality of life among older adults with disabilities

Meixian LIU1,2,Yadong WANG1,Ke TANG1,Chunlan ZHOU1()   

  1. 1.School of Nursing,Southern Medical University,Guangzhou 510515,Guangdong,China
    2.Department of Emergency,Maoming People's Hospital,Maoming 525000,Guangdong,China
  • Received:2025-11-12 Revised:2025-12-16 Accepted:2025-12-22 Online:2026-04-10 Published:2026-04-13
  • Contact: Chunlan ZHOU E-mail:lanchun200488@126.com

Abstract:

Objective Guided by the empowerment theory framework, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between empowerment levels in older adults with disabilities and their quality of life (QoL), as well as the mediating roles of health literacy and self-efficacy in this association. Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted using convenience sampling from March 2022 to May 2023. Data were collected through the following validated instruments: the Sociological Data Questionnaire, Katz Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Scale, Chinese Simplified Elders' Health Empowerment Scale, Chinese version of the Short Form-36 (SF-36) Health Survey, Health literacy Scale for chronic disease patients and General Self-Efficacy Scale. Following data collection, a parallel mediating model was constructed and statistically validated. Results 313 valid questionnaires were returned, for a valid response rate of 96.31%. The empowerment score of 313 older adults with disabilities was (27.47 ± 3.99); quality of life score was (244.91 ± 102.98); health literacy score was (83.21 ± 19.83); and self-efficacy score was (21.39 ± 7.26). Empowerment, health literacy, self-efficacy and quality of life were positively correlated in older adults with disabilities (r value: 0.279 - 0.639, P < 0.01). Older adults with disabilities' empowerment level cannot directly affect their quality of life, but empowerment level can positively affect their quality of life through their health literacy and self-efficacy, with effect values of 0.065 and 0.113, respectively, and the parallel mediated effects is statistically significant. Conclusion The level of empowerment, self-efficacy, health literacy and quality of life of older adults with disabilities needs to be improved. The level of empowerment of older adults with disabilities does not directly affect their quality of life, but can positively influence it through health literacy and self-efficacy.

Key words: older adults with disabilities, empowerment, quality of life, health literacy, self-efficacy

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