Influence of e-Health Literacy on Mental Health Promotion Behaviors Among Nursing Students

This study is a descriptive study conducted to identify the influence of e-health literacy on mental health promotion behaviors among nursing students. Data were collected from April to June 2023 from 248 nursing students in the first to fourth grades at a university in S-si, Gyeonggi-do. The e-health literacy was measured with a modified tool for eHEALS (eHealth Literacy Scale), and mental health promotion behavior was measured by modifying the situation awareness of the mental health tool. The data were analyzed using the SPSS WIN 29.0 Program, independent t-test and One-way ANOVA, Scheffé's test, Pearson correlation coefficient, and multiple regression analysis. As a result of the study, there were significant differences in mental health promotion behavior according to grade, self-perceived physical health status, self-perceived mental health status, coping strategy for mental stress, and health concerns. e-health literacy and mental health promotion behavior have a positive correlation (r=.38, p<.001). In the regression analysis, e-health literacy (β=.36, p<.001), second grade (β=.24, p<.001), first grade (β=.23, p<.001), health concern (β=.19, p=.001), coping strategy for mental stress with professional counseling (β=.17, p=.002), and conversation with friends (β=.15, p=.018) were followed, and these factors explained 29% of the variance. Therefore, to strengthen the mental health promotion behavior of nursing students, it is proposed to develop an education program that can increase the level of e-health literacy considering school years.