Fig. 1

Research model. a Direct effect: the link between social support and healthcare service utilisation is significant even after the influence of other predictors variables is taken into account; b Mediation: the link between predisposing factors, need factors and healthcare service utilisation operates partly via the effect of social support on healthcare service utilisation; c Effect modification: Different level of social support has an intensifying effect on the link between predisposing factors, need factors and healthcare service utilisation