Association between social capital, eHealth literacy, and digital health literacy among undergraduate students in China: a multigroup analysis based on gender differences

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Purpose The primary objective of this study was to explore gender differences in the relationships among social capital, eHealth literacy (EHL), and digital health literacy (DHL) among undergraduate students in China, and to support the implementation of the Healthy China and Digital China strategies. Methods This study collected 1,151 questionnaires from Chinese undergraduate students through snowball sampling via an online platform. DHL was assessed using the Digital Health Literacy Assessment, EHL was assessed using the eHealth Literacy Scale, and social capital was evaluated using the Chinese Simplified Social Capital Scale. SPSS was used to conduct descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and independent-sample t -tests. AMOS was used to perform structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine gender differences in the relationships among social capital, DHL, and EHL. Results The mean DHL score among undergraduate students was 36.27 ± 7.321 (males: 36.65 ± 7.958; females: 36.08 ± 6.975). Social capital showed a positive correlation with DHL, with a stronger standardized direct effect among males (0.107) than females (0.047), although the gender difference was not statistically significant. EHL was positively associated with DHL, with a stronger effect among males (0.847) than females (0.806). Social capital was positively associated with EHL, with a greater direct effect in males (0.410) than females (0.230). The SEM fitness indices were similar between males and females. Conclusion DHL among undergraduate students was comparatively high, with males scoring slightly higher than females. Social capital was positively associated with DHL, with a stronger effect observed among males. EHL was positively associated with DHL in both genders, again with a stronger effect among males. Social capital was positively associated with EHL among both males and females, with a greater effect observed among males. These findings provide implications for strategies aimed at enhancing DHL among undergraduate students in China.

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