Volume 13, Issue 2 (June 2026)
Avicenna J Neuro Psycho Physiology 2026, 13(2): 97-106 |
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Ethics code: IR.IAU.H.REC.1402.163
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Tanha Z. Structural Model of the Relationship between Health Literacy and Physical Literacy with Mental Health in Girls at the Onset of Puberty: The Mediating Role of Self-Care Behaviors. , Avicenna J Neuro Psycho Physiology. 2026; 13 (2) :97-106
URL: http://ajnpp.umsha.ac.ir/article-1-571-en.html
URL: http://ajnpp.umsha.ac.ir/article-1-571-en.html
Department of Educational and Psychosocial Services, Khor. C., Islamic Azad University, Khorram Abad, Iran & Research Group on Play-Based Studies in Child Cognitive Psychology, Khor. C., Islamic Azad University, Khorram Abad, Iran , zahratanha_1364@iau.ac.ir
Abstract: (543 Views)
Background and Objective: The onset of puberty is a critical developmental stage characterized by significant biological and psychological changes. This research sought to formulate and evaluate a structural framework linking health literacy, physical literacy, and psychological well-being among early adolescent girls, with a particular emphasis on the mediating function of self-care practices.
Materials and Methods: Structural equation modeling was applied to conduct this descriptive-correlational study. The study population comprised girls aged 9–12 years in Khorramabad, Iran, during the 2025–2026 academic year. Employing a multistage cluster sampling technique, a cohort of 384 individuals was recruited for the investigation. Information was gathered via the Health Literacy for Iranian Adults scale, the Physical Literacy Questionnaire, the General Health Questionnaire, and a custom self-care behaviors inventory developed by the researchers. The evaluation of the dataset was carried out utilizing SPSS (v. 26) and AMOS (v. 24) software.
Results: The structural model showed an appropriate fit to the data (χ^2/df=2.41, GFI=0.91, CFI=0.94, RMSEA=0.06). Physical literacy (β=0.32, P<0.001) as well as health literacy (β=0.38, P<0.001) had significant positive direct impacts on mental health. Furthermore, both health literacy (β=0.35) and physical literacy (β=0.28) significantly predicted self-care behaviors (P<0.001). Self-care practices played a partial mediating role in the association linking health literacy to mental health.
Conclusions: Health literacy and physical literacy promote adolescent girls’ mental health both directly and indirectly by fostering healthy self-care behaviors. School-based interventions should adopt multidimensional approaches integrating cognitive, physical, and behavioral competencies to support psychological well-being during early adolescence.
Materials and Methods: Structural equation modeling was applied to conduct this descriptive-correlational study. The study population comprised girls aged 9–12 years in Khorramabad, Iran, during the 2025–2026 academic year. Employing a multistage cluster sampling technique, a cohort of 384 individuals was recruited for the investigation. Information was gathered via the Health Literacy for Iranian Adults scale, the Physical Literacy Questionnaire, the General Health Questionnaire, and a custom self-care behaviors inventory developed by the researchers. The evaluation of the dataset was carried out utilizing SPSS (v. 26) and AMOS (v. 24) software.
Results: The structural model showed an appropriate fit to the data (χ^2/df=2.41, GFI=0.91, CFI=0.94, RMSEA=0.06). Physical literacy (β=0.32, P<0.001) as well as health literacy (β=0.38, P<0.001) had significant positive direct impacts on mental health. Furthermore, both health literacy (β=0.35) and physical literacy (β=0.28) significantly predicted self-care behaviors (P<0.001). Self-care practices played a partial mediating role in the association linking health literacy to mental health.
Conclusions: Health literacy and physical literacy promote adolescent girls’ mental health both directly and indirectly by fostering healthy self-care behaviors. School-based interventions should adopt multidimensional approaches integrating cognitive, physical, and behavioral competencies to support psychological well-being during early adolescence.
Keywords: Health literacy, Mental health, Puberty, Physical literacy, Self-care behaviors, Structural equation modeling
Article Type: Research Article |
Subject:
Health Education and Promotion
Received: 2026/02/5 | Accepted: 2026/05/28 | Published: 2026/06/20
Received: 2026/02/5 | Accepted: 2026/05/28 | Published: 2026/06/20
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