Table 4 Bootstrap analysis of mediating effect significance test for the final mode

Knowledge → Attitudes

0.68***

0.60

0.75

–

–

–

Attitudes → Practice

0.17***

0.09

0.25

–

–

–

Practice → Self-rated oral health

− 0.21***

− 0.27

− 0.15

–

–

–

Self-rated oral health → OHRQoL

0.27***

0.22

0.32

–

–

–

Knowledge → Practice

–

–

–

0.12***

0.06

0.17

Knowledge → Self-rated oral health

–

–

–

− 0.03***

− 0.04

− 0.01

Attitudes → Self-rated oral health

–

–

–

− 0.04***

− 0.06

− 0.02

Knowledge → OHRQoL

0.10*

0.00

0.22

− 0.18***

− 16.63

− 6.16

Attitudes → OHRQoL

− 0.28***

− 0.40

− 0.17

0.01

− 0.10

0.85

Practice → OHRQoL

0.10 **

0.03

0.17

− 0.06***

− 8.13

− 3.40