The Impact Mechanism of Social Media on Self-Management Behaviors of Chronic Diseases Among the Elderly in Yulin, Guangxi

Abstract

This study presents a comprehensive quantitative data analysis of the impact mechanism through which social media influences chronic disease self-management behaviors among elderly patients in Yulin, Guangxi, China. Drawing on a structured questionnaire survey of 400 elderly patients across 10 medical institutions, the study employs structural equation modeling (SEM) via SmartPLS 4.1 to examine a theoretically integrated mediation model. Three independent variables Social Media Usage Frequency (SMUF), Health Information Credibility (HIC), and Information Reception Experience (IRE) are examined for their direct and indirect effects on Chronic Disease Self-Management Behavior (CDSMB), with Health Literacy (HL) positioned as the core mediating variable. Results confirm that all seven research hypotheses are statistically supported. The measurement model demonstrates excellent reliability (all Cronbach's α > 0.90; all AVE > 0.70) and discriminant validity (all HTMT < 0.85). The structural model reveals high explanatory power (R² = 0.942), strong predictive relevance (Q² = 0.940), and acceptable model fit (SRMR = 0.023). Information Reception Experience exhibits the strongest total effect on self-management behavior (β = 0.364), followed by Health Information Credibility (β = 0.314) and Social Media Usage Frequency (β = 0.310). Health Literacy mediates all three pathways significantly, with indirect effects ranging from 0.071 to 0.096. These findings provide empirical evidence for theory-based digital health interventions targeting the elderly population within China's "Healthy China 2030" strategic framework (State Council of the People's Republic of China, 2016).