Yaqin Zhong|Liz Schroeder|Yuyan Gao|Xiaojun Guo|Yuanyuan Gu
Social Support, Health Literacy and Depressive Symptoms among Medical Students: An Analysis of Mediating Effects
Nantong University|Macquarie University|Nantong University|Nantong University|Macquarie University
depressive symptoms prevalent university students may impair social educational economic transition adulthood identifying factors determine depressive symptoms crucial design effective policy interventions study aims examine associations health literacy depressive symptoms among medical students evaluate effect different types social support potential mediator crosssectional survey medical students conducted convenience sampling east china associations variables explored using ols mediation effect estimated using karlson holm breen method total 746 valid questionnaires collected prevalence depressive symptoms among sample 324 higher health literacy levels social supports significantly associated lower levels depressive symptoms social support partially mediated association health literacy depressive symptoms accounting 5403 total effect size findings suggest interventions medical student mental wellbeing could improve health literacy whilst family support reflects greatest impact universities also lead innovate novel interventions critical stage life future research extend study exploring dynamic interactions health literacy depressive symptoms sources social support comparisons findings across different regions china university subject disciplines also warranted