Differential impacts of digital interactive media and print media on mental health: mediating mechanism of health literacy and group heterogeneity

Print and digital interactive media influence mental health through different mechanisms, which vary significantly across age groups. Based on these findings, a stratified intervention strategy-"digital prevention + print promotion"-is recommended: for younger populations, leveraging digital media to enhance disease prevention awareness is essential, while for older populations, an integrated media ecosystem should be developed to reduce cognitive load. This study proposes a media-type-centered framework for mental health intervention, and future research should employ longitudinal designs to establish causal inferences.