Associations between eHealth literacy, mental health-seeking attitude, and mental wellbeing among young electronic media users in China during the COVID-19 pandemic

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the associations among mental health related eHealth literacy (eHL), mental health-seeking attitude, and wellbeing among Chinese young electronic media users during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A web-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in Guangzhou, China. The modified eHealth literacy Scale, Mental Help-Seeking Attitudes Scale, and Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale were used. Structural equation modeling (SEM) examined the associations between them and was adjusted by several controlled variables. RESULTS: Totally, 1,008 participants completed the questionnaire and provided valid responses. The eHL showed a statistically significant and direct effect on mental wellbeing in this sample. The higher the level of eHL, the better wellbeing of the participants. The mental health-seeking attitude is also positively correlated with mental wellbeing, indicating that the more positive attitude toward seeking mental health services, the better the wellbeing participants reported. The higher level of eHL is significantly associated with a more positive attitude toward seeking mental health services. CONCLUSION: Training to improve eHL may optimize young electronic media users' mental health outcomes. Development and use of a mental health specific eHL instrument in future studies should be encouraged.