The impact of health literacy on complication risk perception in patients with type 2 diabetes: the mediating roles of patient–provider communication and perceived social support

Risk perception is a critical psychological factor that motivates patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) to adopt preventive behaviours, and the relationship between health literacy and complication risk perception appears to be influenced by social interaction factors. This study aimed to examine the association between health literacy and complication risk perception, with a particular focus on the mediating roles of patient-provider communication and perceived social support. A total of 533 patients with T2DM were recruited from a tertiary hospital in China and completed questionnaires assessing demographic characteristics, health literacy, patient-provider communication, perceived social support, and complication risk perception. The results indicated that patient-provider communication and social support mediated the relationship between health literacy and complication risk perception. These findings suggest that fostering a positive communication environment and enhancing patients' perceived support from family, healthcare providers, and peers may improve their complication risk perception, thereby encouraging proactive preventive behaviours.