Individual and organizational health literacies: moderating psychological distress for individuals with chronic conditions

Abstract

Background: People with chronic conditions experience high psychological distress. Methods: Using the National Health Survey in Australia during 2017-18, the study assessed whether and which health literacies moderated the relationship between chronic conditions and psychological distress for diabetes, chronic kidney disease (CKD), cardiovascular disease (CVD), arthritis, other musculoskeletal conditions, asthma, other chronic lower respiratory diseases and cancer. Psychological distress was regressed on chronic diseases, health literacy domains and their interactions, controlling for demographic, socioeconomic and health factors. Results: Of 5790 adults, 4212 (72.75%) aged 18-64; 846 (14.6%..