The influencing factors and generation path of digital health literacy among adolescents: evidence from 18 provinces in China.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

This study explores the generation path and influencing factors of digital health literacy (DHL) among adolescents (aged 12-22), addressing gaps in the research by giving insufficient attention to underage youth and the lack of qualitative exploration.

Methods

Adopting grounded theory, 74 semistructured online interviews were conducted with adolescents across 18 Chinese provinces, generating 190 thousand words of anonymized text. Through open, axial, and selective coding, 33 initial concepts, 14 core categories, and 6 main categories (literacy foundation, active exploration, passive arousal, positive effects, negative impact, and practical problems) were identified.

Results

The results show that a literacy foundation (digital equipment/channels), active e

SUBMITTER: Wang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12895680 | biostudies-literature | 2026

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature