Abstract
BACKGROUND: With an aging population and the intensification of digital trends, the relationship between technology readiness and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among middle-aged and older adults has garnered significant academic attention, although existing research presents inconsistent findings. OBJECTIVE: Drawing on conservation of resources theory and social support theory, this study investigates the mechanisms through which technology readiness affects HRQoL, focusing on the serial mediation effects of e-Health literacy and family support. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted by 489 internet-experienced middle-aged and older adults who completed questionnaires measuring technology readiness, e-Health literacy, family support, and HRQoL. Structural equation modeling was employed to examine the relationships between variables. RESULTS: The results indicated that technology readiness significantly and positively influenced HRQoL, with a direct effect size of 0.529, and that e-Health literacy partially mediated this relationship. Both e-Health literacy and family support jointly contribute to a serial mediation effect, with a standardized coefficient of 0.081. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that enhancing e-Health literacy and family support can amplify the positive impact of technology readiness on HRQoL. This research provides strategies for improving HRQoL among middle-aged and older adults in the digital era, offering new theoretical perspectives for promoting active aging and equitable access to digital dividends.