QUANTITATIVE INVESTIGATION OF BACKGROUND FACTORS OF CYBERCHONDRIA IN A YOUNG ADULT SAMPLE
Author(s)
Gabriella Hideg-Fehér, PhD1, Annamaria Pakai, MSc, RN, PhD2, Imre Boncz, MSc, PhD, MD3, Ilona Karácsony, PhD4.
1University of Pécs Faculty of Health Sciences, Pécs, Hungary, 2Institute of Emergency Care, Pedagogy of Health and Nursing Sciences, University of Pécs Faculty of Health Sciences, Pécs, Hungary, 3Institute of Health Insurance, University of Pécs Faculty of Health Sciences, Pécs, Hungary, 4Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Midwifery and Health Visiting, University of Pécs Faculty of Health Sciences, Szombathely, Hungary.
1University of Pécs Faculty of Health Sciences, Pécs, Hungary, 2Institute of Emergency Care, Pedagogy of Health and Nursing Sciences, University of Pécs Faculty of Health Sciences, Pécs, Hungary, 3Institute of Health Insurance, University of Pécs Faculty of Health Sciences, Pécs, Hungary, 4Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Midwifery and Health Visiting, University of Pécs Faculty of Health Sciences, Szombathely, Hungary.
OBJECTIVES: The easy accessibility of online health information and the excessive or compulsive use of online sources may lead to cyberchondria.The aim of our study was to explore the prevalence of cyberchondria among young adults, with special attention to the role of sociodemographic indicators, as well as the context of frequency of online health information seeking, self-rated health status, and subjective well-being.
METHODS: In our quantitative cross-sectional study, N=504 young adults were included. To assess the level of cyberchondria, the short version of the Cyberchondria Severity Scale (CSS-12) was applied. Subjective well-being was measured using the WBI-5 questionnaire. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 30.0 software. To explore relationships between variables, Spearman’s rank correlation, Mann-Whitney, and Kruskal-Wallis tests were applied (p<0.05).
RESULTS: The majority of the sample (mean age: 23.6 years; 80% female) was single (56.55%) and had higher education qualifications (79.37%). Out of the maximum 60 points available on the cyberchondria scale, the sample mean score was M=29.12, with moderate dispersion (SD=10.01). The examined sociodemographic factors did not significantly differentiate the level of cyberchondria (p>0.05). In contrast, with increasing frequency of online health information seeking, cyberchondria levels also increased, and a significant, moderate positive correlation was confirmed between the examined variables (r=0.389; p<0.001). No association was found between cyberchondria and subjective well-being (r=-0.057; p=0.201), while a significant, weak negative relationship was detectable with self-rated health status (r=-0.122; p=0.006).
CONCLUSIONS: Our results highlight that the presence of cyberchondria among young adults is at a moderate level. Frequent online health information seeking and less favorable self-rated health status play a key role in its development. In order to reduce this phenomenon, digital health literacy and the development of critical information evaluation through targeted educational programs are essential.
METHODS: In our quantitative cross-sectional study, N=504 young adults were included. To assess the level of cyberchondria, the short version of the Cyberchondria Severity Scale (CSS-12) was applied. Subjective well-being was measured using the WBI-5 questionnaire. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 30.0 software. To explore relationships between variables, Spearman’s rank correlation, Mann-Whitney, and Kruskal-Wallis tests were applied (p<0.05).
RESULTS: The majority of the sample (mean age: 23.6 years; 80% female) was single (56.55%) and had higher education qualifications (79.37%). Out of the maximum 60 points available on the cyberchondria scale, the sample mean score was M=29.12, with moderate dispersion (SD=10.01). The examined sociodemographic factors did not significantly differentiate the level of cyberchondria (p>0.05). In contrast, with increasing frequency of online health information seeking, cyberchondria levels also increased, and a significant, moderate positive correlation was confirmed between the examined variables (r=0.389; p<0.001). No association was found between cyberchondria and subjective well-being (r=-0.057; p=0.201), while a significant, weak negative relationship was detectable with self-rated health status (r=-0.122; p=0.006).
CONCLUSIONS: Our results highlight that the presence of cyberchondria among young adults is at a moderate level. Frequent online health information seeking and less favorable self-rated health status play a key role in its development. In order to reduce this phenomenon, digital health literacy and the development of critical information evaluation through targeted educational programs are essential.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-11, ISPOR Europe 2026, Vienna, Austria
Value in Health, Volume 29, Issue 12S
Code
EPH175
Topic
Clinical Outcomes, Epidemiology & Public Health
Disease
Mental Health (including addiction), No Additional Disease & Conditions/Specialized Treatment Areas