The influence of patient-centered communication on psychological distress: the chain mediating role of health-related self-efficacy and healthy lifestyle behaviors and the moderating role of social media use

This study demonstrates the generalizability of patient-centered communication in alleviating psychological distress through the chain mediating pathway of health-related self-efficacy and healthy lifestyle behaviors. Notably, it reveals the moderating effect thresholds of social media use on this pathway. These findings provide both theoretical foundations and practical guidelines for: (1) optimizing doctor-patient communication strategies; (2) media literacy interventions under the WHO health literacy framework; and (3) improving psychological support in post-pandemic telemedicine.