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Otmar CD, Merolla AJ. Social Determinants of Message Exposure and Health Anxiety Among Young Sexual Minority Men in the United States During the 2022 Mpox Outbreak. HEALTH COMMUNICATION 2024:1-12. [PMID: 39225351 DOI: 10.1080/10410236.2024.2397272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
This study tested the structural influence model of communication in the context of the 2022 global outbreak of the Mpox virus among young sexual minority men. The primary objective was to understand how distinct social determinants, including education, race/ethnicity, and interpersonal discrimination, influenced exposure to Mpox messages in daily life and affected health anxiety concerning the Mpox virus in the United States. We also explored the significance of LGBTQ+ community connectedness as a crucial form of social capital during the outbreak. We collected a three-wave longitudinal dataset and examined within-person and between-person associations using a random-intercept cross-lagged panel model. Participants (N = 254) reported that internet sources and social media were their primary information sources for Mpox messages during the outbreak. Educational attainment, racial minority status, and LGBTQ+ community connectedness were significantly associated with message exposure. Young sexual minority men who faced greater interpersonal discrimination in their daily lives also reported higher rates of Mpox-related health anxiety. Longitudinal analysis indicated that (at the within-person level) Mpox anxiety was significantly associated with greater Mpox message exposure in the month following the outbreak, but that relationship waned in the subsequent month. The theoretical implications highlight the relevance of minority stress variables in the structural influence model of communication framework and suggest the importance of community connectedness as a distinct form of social capital shaping message exposure and health anxiety during the Mpox outbreak in the United States.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andy J Merolla
- Department of Communication, University of California, Santa Barbara
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Sansakorn P, Mushtaque I, Awais-E-Yazdan M, Dost MKB. The Relationship between Cyberchondria and Health Anxiety and the Moderating Role of Health Literacy among the Pakistani Public. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 21:1168. [PMID: 39338051 PMCID: PMC11431163 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21091168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2024] [Revised: 07/29/2024] [Accepted: 08/27/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024]
Abstract
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the current study examines the association between cyberchondria and health anxiety in the Pakistani population, with health literacy as a moderator. This study utilized a cross-sectional research approach, with data gathered through simple random sampling. The study enlisted 1295 participants from Pakistan aged between 18 and 70, 63% of whom were male and 36% of whom were female. The researchers found a statistically significant positive link between cyberchondria and health anxiety (β = 0.215; t = 1.052; p 0.000). The moderating influence of health literacy suggests that health anxiety has a significantly negative effect on the relationship between cyberchondria and health anxiety (β = -0.769; t = 2.097; p 0.037). Moreover, females had higher cyberchondria scores than males. Health-related anxiety did not differ between the sexes, and males had greater health literacy than females. These results emphasize the critical role of health literacy in the moderating effects of cyberchondria on health anxiety. Furthermore, they reveal significant gender differences in both cyberchondria and health literacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Preeda Sansakorn
- Department of Occupational Health & Safety, School of Public Health, Walailak University, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80161, Thailand
| | - Iqra Mushtaque
- Department of Psychology, University of Layyah, Layyah 31200, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Awais-E-Yazdan
- Department of Occupational Health & Safety, School of Public Health, Walailak University, Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80161, Thailand
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Lu Q, Schulz PJ. Physician Perspectives on Internet-Informed Patients: Systematic Review. J Med Internet Res 2024; 26:e47620. [PMID: 38842920 PMCID: PMC11190621 DOI: 10.2196/47620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The internet has become a prevalent source of health information for patients. However, its accuracy and relevance are often questionable. While patients seek physicians' expertise in interpreting internet health information, physicians' perspectives on patients' information-seeking behavior are less explored. OBJECTIVE This review aims to understand physicians' perceptions of patients' internet health information-seeking behavior as well as their communication strategies and the challenges and needs they face with internet-informed patients. METHODS An initial search in PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, Communication and Mass Media Complete, and PsycINFO was conducted to collect studies published from January 1990 to August 1, 2022. A subsequent search on December 24, 2023, targeted recent studies published after the initial search cutoff date. Two reviewers independently performed title, abstract, and full-text screening, adhering to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) statement guidelines. Thematic analysis was then used to identify key themes and systematically categorize evidence from both qualitative and quantitative studies under these themes. RESULTS A total of 22 qualifying articles were identified after the search and screening process. Physicians were found to hold diverse views on patients' internet searches, which can be viewed as a continuous spectrum of opinions ranging from positive to negative. While some physicians leaned distinctly toward either positive or negative perspectives, a significant number expressed more balanced views. These physicians recognized both the benefits, such as increased patient health knowledge and informed decision-making, and the potential harms, including misinformation and the triggering of negative emotions, such as patient anxiety or confusion, associated with patients' internet health information seeking. Two communicative strategies were identified: the participative and defensive approaches. While the former seeks to guide internet-informed patients to use internet information with physicians' expertise, the latter aims to discourage patients from using the internet to seek health information. Physicians' perceptions were linked to their strategies: those holding positive views tended to adopt a participative approach, while those with negative views favored a defensive strategy. Some physicians claimed to shift between the 2 approaches depending on their interaction with a certain patient. We also identified several challenges and needs of physicians in dealing with internet-informed patients, including the time pressure to address internet-informed patient demands, a lack of structured training, and being uninformed about trustworthy internet sites that can be recommended to internet-informed patients. CONCLUSIONS This review highlights the diverse perceptions that physicians hold toward internet-informed patients, as well as the interplay between their perceptions, communication strategies, and their interactions with individual patients. Incorporating elements into the medical teaching curriculum that introduce physicians to reliable internet health resources for patient guidance, coupled with providing updates on technological advancements, could be instrumental in equipping physicians to more effectively manage internet-informed patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION PROSPERO CRD42022356317; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=356317.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianfeng Lu
- Faculty of Communication, Culture and Society, Università della Svizzera italiana, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Peter Johannes Schulz
- Faculty of Communication, Culture and Society, Università della Svizzera italiana, Lugano, Switzerland
- Department of Communication & Media, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
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Kobryn M, Duplaga M. Does Health Literacy Protect Against Cyberchondria: A Cross-Sectional Study? Telemed J E Health 2024; 30:e1089-e1100. [PMID: 38016126 DOI: 10.1089/tmj.2023.0425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The use of online health resources and self-diagnosis intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic, often resulting in symptoms of cyberchondria. However, little is still known about this phenomenon's real scale and determinants. The aim of the study was to examine the prevalence of cyberchondria among adult internet users in Poland. Furthermore, the study was focused on analyzing the determinants of cyberchondria, with special regard to health literacy (HL) and e-health literacy (eHL). Methods: The analysis was based on data from a computer-assisted web-based interviewing survey performed with a sample of 1,613 internet users. Uni- and multivariable linear regression models were developed for potential determinants of cyberchondria. Results: Younger respondents were more likely to have higher cyberchondria scores than older respondents. Men were more likely to have lower cyberchondria scores than women. Higher health anxiety was significantly associated with cyberchondria severity. In the multivariable regression model, the severity of cyberchondria was significantly higher among respondents with inadequate rather than sufficient HL (B = 6.24, p < 0.001). In turn, greater eHL was significantly correlated with more severe cyberchondria (B = 0.92, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our study confirmed that HL may be perceived as a protecting factor against cyberchondria. Unexpectedly, higher eHL predicts more severe cyberchondria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mateusz Kobryn
- Department of Health Promotion and e-Health, Institute of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - Mariusz Duplaga
- Department of Health Promotion and e-Health, Institute of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
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Nkyi AK, Baaba B. Coping, health anxiety, and stress among health professionals during Covid-19, Cape Coast, Ghana. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0296720. [PMID: 38285712 PMCID: PMC10824413 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study is to investigate coping strategies, health anxiety and stress among healthcare professionals in selected hospitals in the Cape Coast Metropolis during the Covid 19 pandemic. This study adopted the Descriptive survey design. The Multistage sampling technique was used to select 322 health professionals. The health professionals included Medical Officers, Physician Assistants and Nurses. Data were gathered using the Health Anxiety Inventory (HAI-SF), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and the Brief-COPE Inventory. Analyses were conducted using mean and standard deviation, ANOVA as well as Independent Samples t-test. Results indicate that Health professionals adopted diverse coping strategies ranging from positive to negative coping style to overcome the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Results also indicate that coping strategies significantly influenced health anxiety levels of health professionals, and that Active Coping is a significant determinant of stress among health professionals. Male health professionals had significantly more health anxiety than females. However, gender was not a significant factor in the experiences of stress. Lastly, age of health professionals does not determine the type of coping strategy they adopted during the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony K. Nkyi
- Department of Guidance and Counselling, College of Education Studies, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Bridgette Baaba
- Counselling Center, College of Education Studies, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
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Wang Z, Hu Y, Huang B, Zheng G, Li B, Liu Z. Is There a Relationship Between Online Health Information Seeking and Health Anxiety? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. HEALTH COMMUNICATION 2023:1-15. [PMID: 37919837 DOI: 10.1080/10410236.2023.2275921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
The internet has revolutionized how we live, providing unprecedented convenience and up-to-date information. Consequently, an increasing number of individuals are turning to the internet for health-related information, despite research suggesting a correlation between this behavior and health anxiety. Therefore, drawing on cognitive - behavioral theory, we explore the link between online health information seeking and health anxiety via a systematic review and meta-analysis of cross-sectional studies. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis, we ran searches in multiple databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Elsevier/Science Direct, Cochrane Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP Chinese Database, and Wanfang Data. Our searches identified 16 studies eligible for review, involving 4,920 participants across seven countries. The random-effects meta-analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between online health information seeking and health anxiety (r = 0.28, 95% confidence interval [0.16, 0.41], p < .0001), despite considerable heterogeneity. Furthermore, meta-regression analysis demonstrated that the identity characteristics of the sample, female percentage, sample size, and country all contributed to the heterogeneity across studies. Overall, this meta-analysis provides support for the association between online health information seeking and health anxiety, and helps to elucidate the cognitive - behavioral theory underpinning this phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenyu Wang
- School of Government, Sun Yat-sen University
| | - Yi Hu
- Research Department III, Shenzhen Health Development Research and Data Management Center
| | - Bohan Huang
- School of Public Administration, Guangdong University of Finance
| | | | - Bei Li
- School of Health Management, Southern Medical University
| | - Zhihan Liu
- School of Public Administration, Central South University
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Bautista JR, Zhang Y, Gwizdka J, Chang YS. Consumers' longitudinal health information needs and seeking: a scoping review. Health Promot Int 2023; 38:daad066. [PMID: 37432774 DOI: 10.1093/heapro/daad066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Needing and seeking health information often is a longitudinal everyday life information behavior that involves the use of technology. However, no reviews of consumers' longitudinal health information needs (HIN) and health information-seeking (HIS) behavior have been conducted. We performed a scoping review to address this gap. Specifically, we surveyed the characteristics, timeline construction and research findings of studies investigating consumers' longitudinal HIN and HIS. Initial searches were conducted in November 2019 and updated in July 2022. A total of 128 papers were identified, reviewed and analyzed using content and thematic analyses. Results showed that most papers were quantitative, conducted in the USA, related to cancer, conducted during the diagnosis and treatment phases, and followed preset time intervals. Findings concerning the development patterns of consumers' HIN degrees and HIS effort were mixed (i.e. increasing, decreasing or being consistent over time). They seemed to be shaped by factors such as health conditions, data collection methods and the length of data collection. Consumers' use of sources changes depending on health status and source accessibility; their medical terminologies seem to expand over time. HIS has a strong emotional dimension which may lead to adaptive or maladaptive information behaviors (e.g. information avoidance). Overall, the results revealed a lack of understanding of HIN and HIS from a longitudinal perspective, particularly along health condition progression and coping trajectories. There is also a lack of understanding of the role of technologies in the longitudinal HIS process.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Robert Bautista
- School of Information, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
- Center for Health Communication, Moody College of Communication and Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Yan Zhang
- School of Information, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
- Center for Health Communication, Moody College of Communication and Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Jacek Gwizdka
- School of Information, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
- Information eXperience (IX) Lab, School of Information, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Yung-Sheng Chang
- School of Information, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
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Barnwell PV, Rattigan JA, Brennan KT, Fedorenko EJ, Contrada RJ. Exposure to conflicting COVID-19 information in undergraduates: Implications for pandemic-related information-seeking and concern, attention, and cognitive workload. JOURNAL OF AMERICAN COLLEGE HEALTH : J OF ACH 2023:1-12. [PMID: 37289990 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2023.2220409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Objectives: To examine college students' conflicting COVID-19 information exposure, information-seeking, concern, and cognitive functioning. Participants: 179 undergraduates were recruited in March-April 2020, and 220 in September 2020 (Samples 1 and 2, respectively). Methods: Students completed the Attention Network Test, NASA Task Load Index, and COVID-related questions. Results: In Sample 1, exposure to conflicting information predicted poorer attentional performance and greater COVID-related information-seeking and concern; concern was correlated with workload. In Sample 2, conflicting information was associated with information-seeking. In Sample 1, but not Sample 2, cognitive effects of conflicting information were mediated by information-seeking and virus-related concern. Conclusions: Conflicting COVID-19 information may undermine students' cognitive functions, bearing implications for health, academic performance, and stress. Strategies for countering these effects include enhancing the clarity of institutional messaging, and tailoring course curricula and offering workshops to students, faculty, administrators, and counseling staff to augment students' capacity to comprehend and utilize COVID-related communications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick V Barnwell
- Department of Psychology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Jake A Rattigan
- Department of Psychology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Kyle T Brennan
- Department of Psychology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Erick J Fedorenko
- Department of Psychology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Richard J Contrada
- Department of Psychology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
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Wangler J, Jansky M. Online enquiries and health concerns - a survey of German general practitioners regarding experiences and strategies in patient care. ZEITSCHRIFT FUR GESUNDHEITSWISSENSCHAFTEN = JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH 2023:1-7. [PMID: 37361270 PMCID: PMC10096108 DOI: 10.1007/s10389-023-01909-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Aim Increasingly at GP practices, patients appear who are extremely worried as a result of health information researched online and consequently affected by doubts and concerns. The study highlights GP attitudes and experiences with regard to this patient group. Moreover, it identifies strategies adopted by GPs to respond appropriately to worried or scared patients. Subject and methods In the German federal states of Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland, 2532 GPs were surveyed between June and August 2022. Owing to the explorative nature of the study, a descriptive analysis was conducted. Results Of the total respondents, 77% deemed the current problem of internet-related health concerns to be a major challenge in everyday practice. The implications affect patients' mental stability and expectations towards the doctor (esp. demand for further instrumental diagnosis, 83%). One doctor in five (20%) has experienced the termination of patient contact because the relationship with the patient was no longer possible due to the patient's uncontrolled online information behaviour. To respond to worried or scared patients, the respondents generally ask certain patient groups about online research (39%) and take this into account in the doctor-patient discussion (23%). Furthermore, the respondents use a detailed explanation of the diagnosis and/or treatment (65%) and recommend websites that they consider reputable (66%). Some of the doctors prefer a joint examination of the information researched by the patient (55%) as well as to explain the benefits and risks of online research (43%). Conclusion Many GPs demonstrate a high level of awareness and sensitivity with regard to extensive online research and potentially worried patients. It seems advisable to actively address the online search for information in the patient consultation to prevent possible negative effects on the doctor-patient relationship and to actively involve the patient. In this respect, it would also be worth considering expanding the medical history to include the dimension of online searching. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10389-023-01909-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Wangler
- Centre for General Medicine and Geriatrics, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Am Pulverturm 13, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Michael Jansky
- Centre for General Medicine and Geriatrics, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Am Pulverturm 13, 55131 Mainz, Germany
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Mestre-Bach G, Potenza MN. Cyberchondria: a Growing Concern During the COVID-19 Pandemic and a Possible Addictive Disorder? CURRENT ADDICTION REPORTS 2023; 10:77-96. [PMID: 36785757 PMCID: PMC9909655 DOI: 10.1007/s40429-022-00462-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Purpose of Review The main purpose of this narrative review is to provide a brief overview of the current empirical evidence regarding the conceptualization, assessment, and treatment of cyberchondria, with a focus on the potential classification of cyberchondria as a behavioral addiction. Although cyberchondria has been widely associated with anxiety, it has also been suggested that it may be linked to obsessive-compulsive features. A less explored proposal is the categorization of cyberchondria as a behavioral addiction. The present review explores the existing literature with respect to the possible classification of cyberchondria as a behavioral addiction by considering cyberchondria with respect to components of the interaction of person, affect, cognition and execution model. Recent Findings There is a lack of consensus regarding the definition and conceptualization of cyberchondria. The empirical evidence available to date suggests that cyberchondria is a multifactorial construct that operates transdiagnostically, particularly with respect to obsessive-compulsive-related disorders and health-related anxiety. The extent to which the condition may reflect a behavioral addiction as a form of problematic use of the internet also warrants consideration. Cyberchondria may have become more prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic, with particular populations prone to health-related anxiety likely having greater vulnerability. Existing data in part support the potential classification of cyberchondria as a behavioral addiction, although many gaps in understanding currently exist. Summary Cyberchondria appears to be a growing concern. However, there is not yet enough empirical evidence to determine whether this clinical condition has enough similarities with behavioral addictions to be considered as one. Likewise, psychometric instruments that exist to date have not been designed from the theoretical framework of behavioral addictions, so most of the factors that they evaluate may be preferentially related to anxiety. Finally, there is still no consensus on whether cyberchondria should be addressed in the context of health anxiety interventions, OCRD, or behavioral addictions; thus, more empirical evidence is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gemma Mestre-Bach
- Universidad Internacional de La Rioja, Logroño, La Rioja Spain
- Institute for Culture and Society (ICS), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Marc N. Potenza
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT USA
- Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT USA
- Connecticut Council On Problem Gambling, Wethersfield, CT USA
- Wu Tsai Institute, Yale University, New Haven, CT USA
- Yale Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT USA
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Gong H, Deng S, Wang H, Cao G. Using the ABC theory of emotion to examine the relationship between health anxiety and health information-seeking behavior among the rural population. Digit Health 2023; 9:20552076231208559. [PMID: 37900259 PMCID: PMC10605672 DOI: 10.1177/20552076231208559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective The aim of the current study was to explore the relationship between online and offline health information-seeking behaviors, as antecedents and consequences, and health anxiety and related belief factors in rural residents. Methods Based on the ABC theory of emotions (ABC model), this study developed two theoretical models of the association between health anxiety and health information-seeking behavior: Placing health information-seeking behavior (both online and offline) as an outcome and antecedent, respectively, and setting three belief factors of the perceived health threat, intolerance of uncertainty, and catastrophic misinterpretations. We collected 730 self-reported data points from 20 June to 5 July 2022 for rural residents in China and empirically tested the research model and hypotheses using partial least squares-based structural equation modeling. Results The perceived health threat and intolerance of uncertainty are significant motivators of health anxiety, and health anxiety has a direct beneficial effect on both online and offline health information-seeking behaviors. Health anxiety is influenced either directly or indirectly by catastrophic misinterpretations resulting from online health information-seeking, while offline health information-seeking behavior does not contribute as strongly to health anxiety directly but mainly reinforces it through the mediating influence of catastrophic misinterpretations. Conclusions Rural residents' health anxiety promotes their online and offline health information behaviors. And both their online and offline health information-seeking behaviors may promote health anxiety directly and through catastrophic misinterpretations. Comparing the two, online health information-seeking behaviors primarily exacerbate health anxiety through direct effects, whereas offline health information-seeking behaviors primarily affect health anxiety through catastrophic misinterpretations. We provide suggested guidelines for alleviating health anxiety and regulating health information behaviors among rural residents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongcun Gong
- School of Information Management, Nanjing University, China
- International Joint Informatics Laboratory, Nanjing University, China
| | - Sanhong Deng
- School of Information Management, Nanjing University, China
- International Joint Informatics Laboratory, Nanjing University, China
| | - Hao Wang
- School of Information Management, Nanjing University, China
- International Joint Informatics Laboratory, Nanjing University, China
| | - Gaohui Cao
- School of Information Management, Central China Normal University, China
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Lokajova A, Smahel D, Kvardova N. Health-related social media use and COVID-19 anxiety in adolescence: health anxiety as covariate and moderator. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1079730. [PMID: 37205077 PMCID: PMC10187632 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1079730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Adolescents can benefit from engagement with health-related content on social media (e.g., viewing, commenting, or sharing content related to diseases, prevention, or healthy lifestyle). Nevertheless, such content may be distressing or exaggerated and present a challenge to mental well-being, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rumination about such content may lead to COVID-19 anxiety. Yet, the individual factors that would explain the association between health-related social media use (SMU) and COVID-19 anxiety are understudied. Objective In the current study, we aimed to fill the gap by investigating the association between health-related social media use (SMU) and COVID-19 anxiety in light of several individual factors: health anxiety, eHealth literacy, and mild and severe experience with COVID-19 infection. We (1) studied the relationship between individual factors and health-related SMU, (2) tested health anxiety as a moderator in the association between health-related SMU and COVID-19 anxiety, and (3) explored a direct effect of experience with COVID-19 on COVID-19 anxiety. Methods Using structural equation modeling, we analyzed cross-sectional data from a representative sample of 2,500 Czech adolescents aged 11-16, 50% girls. Sociodemographic measures, health-related SMU, COVIDCOVID-19 anxiety, health anxiety, eHealth literacy, and mild and severe experience with COVID-19 infection were assessed with an anonymous online survey. The data were collected in June 2021. Results We conducted a path analysis to test the main relationships and an additional simple-slopes analysis to explore the moderating effect of health anxiety. Higher health anxiety and eHealth literacy were associated with increased health-related SMU. The effect of experience with COVID-19 infection on both COVID-19 anxiety and health-related SMU was negligible. Health-related SMU and COVID-19 anxiety were positively associated, however, only for adolescents high in health anxiety. For other adolescents, the two variables were unrelated. Conclusion Our findings show that adolescents with higher health anxiety and eHealth literacy engage in health-related SMU more intensively. Furthermore, for adolescents high in health anxiety, the frequency of health-related SMU is associated with the risk of COVID-19 anxiety. This is likely due to differences in media use. Adolescents with high health anxiety may use social media for content that is more likely to lead to COVID-19 anxiety compared to other adolescents. We recommend focusing on the identification of such content, which may lead to more precise recommendations regarding health-related SMU compared to cut-back on the frequency of overall SMU.
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Afful-Dadzie E, Afful-Dadzie A, Egala SB. Social media in health communication: A literature review of information quality. HEALTH INF MANAG J 2023; 52:3-17. [PMID: 33818176 DOI: 10.1177/1833358321992683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social media is used in health communication by individuals, health professionals, disease centres and other health regulatory bodies. However, varying degrees of information quality are churned out daily on social media. This review is concerned with the quality of Social Media Health Information (SMHI). OBJECTIVE The review sought to understand how SMHI quality issues have been framed and addressed in the literature. Health topics, users and social media platforms that have raised health information quality concerns are reviewed. The review also looked at the suitability of existing criteria and instruments used in evaluating SMHI and identified gaps for future research. METHOD The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses and the forward chaining strategy were used in the document search. Data were sourced according to inclusion criteria from five academic databases, namely Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, PubMed and MEDLINE. RESULTS A total of 93 articles published between 2000 and 2019 were used in the review. The review revealed a worrying trend of health content and communication on social media, especially of cancer, dental care and diabetes information on YouTube. The review further discovered that the Journal of the American Medical Association, the DISCERN and the Health on the Net Foundation, which were designed before the advent of social media, continue to be used as quality evaluation instruments for SMHI, even though technical and user characteristics of social media differ from traditional portals such as websites. CONCLUSION The study synthesises varied opinions on SMHI quality in the literature and recommends that future research proposes quality evaluation criteria and instruments specifically for SMHI.
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Zheng H, Kyung Kim H, Joanna Sin SC, Theng YL. Exploring developmental trajectory of cyberchondria over time: A three-wave panel study. TELEMATICS AND INFORMATICS 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tele.2022.101892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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15
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Peng RX. How online searches fuel health anxiety: Investigating the link between health-related searches, health anxiety, and future intention. COMPUTERS IN HUMAN BEHAVIOR 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2022.107384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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16
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Abu Khait A, Mrayyan MT, Al-Rjoub S, Rababa M, Al-Rawashdeh S. Cyberchondria, Anxiety Sensitivity, Hypochondria, and Internet Addiction: Implications for Mental Health Professionals. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2022; 42:1-12. [PMID: 36254213 PMCID: PMC9556280 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-022-03815-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Repetitive online searches for health information increase anxieties and result in Internet addiction. Internet addiction, cyberchondria, anxiety sensitivity, and hypochondria have been studied separately, but how these concepts are reciprocally linked has not been investigated. This study aimed to determine the levels, correlations, and predictors of Internet addiction, cyberchondria, anxiety sensitivity, and hypochondria among students based on the sample's characteristics. A sample of 143 university students participated in this cross-sectional online survey. A self-reported questionnaire was employed to collect data from students. The studied concepts had moderate to high correlations with each other and with the students' characteristics. Not getting infected with the coronavirus was among the demographic factors inserted into the regression model that only predicted cyberchondria. The model of cyberchondria was significant and explained 11.5% of the variance in the score of concepts. The results of the standard regression analysis indicated that the model predicting Internet addiction accounted for 41.2% of the variability. Our unique findings indicate that cyberchondria can contribute to developing Internet addiction compared to earlier studies. The findings suggest the importance of empowering students to overcome their anxieties by managing cyberchondria and Internet addiction. Mental health professionals, namely psychiatric nurses, are at the forefront of taking preventive mental health measures on campus, such as screening and referring students who exhibit these problems to psychological support and counseling to cope with their anxieties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdallah Abu Khait
- Department of Community and Mental Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, The Hashemite University, P.O. Box 330,127, 13133 Zarqa, Jordan
| | - Majd T. Mrayyan
- Department of Community and Mental Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, The Hashemite University, P.O. Box 330,127, 13133 Zarqa, Jordan
- Department of Community and Mental Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan
| | - Saleem Al-Rjoub
- Department of Community and Mental Health- Faculty of Nursing, The Hashemite University, P.O. Box 330,127, 13133 Zarqa, Jordan
| | - Majdi Rababa
- Department of Adult Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing , The Hashemite University, P.O. Box 330,127, 13133 Zarqa, Jordan
| | - Sami Al-Rawashdeh
- Department of Adult Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing , The Hashemite University, P.O. Box 330,127, 13133 Zarqa, Jordan
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Ciułkowicz M, Misiak B, Szcześniak D, Grzebieluch J, Maciaszek J, Rymaszewska J. Social Support Mediates the Association between Health Anxiety and Quality of Life: Findings from a Cross-Sectional Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:12962. [PMID: 36232258 PMCID: PMC9566112 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191912962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to test if perceived social support and cyberchondria mediate the association between health anxiety and quality of life (QoL) in a nonclinical sample. Cross-sectional research involved adult internet users (n = 538) between 16 May 2020 and 29 December 2020 in Poland who completed self-report questionnaires, including the cyberchondria severity scale (CSS-PL), the short health anxiety inventory (SHAI), the multidimensional scale of perceived social support (MSPSS) and the quality of life scale (QOLS). A mediation analysis was performed to examine the direct effects of health anxiety on cyberchondria, perceived social support and quality of life. Likewise, the effects of cyberchondria and perceived social support on QoL were analyzed. Hence, indirect effects of health anxiety on QoL through cyberchondria and perceived social support were explored. Health anxiety significantly impaired QoL both directly and indirectly through low-perceived social support. Perceived social support partly mediated the association between health anxiety and QoL. Cyberchondria did not have a significant direct effect on the latter. Thus, cyberchondria did not mediate the relationship between health anxiety and QoL. Boosting-perceived social support may mitigate the detrimental effect of health anxiety on QoL. Cyberchondria was not found to have a significant effect on QoL in contrast to health anxiety alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Ciułkowicz
- Department of Psychiatry, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Błażej Misiak
- Department of Psychiatry, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Dorota Szcześniak
- Department of Psychiatry, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Jolanta Grzebieluch
- Department of Population Health, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Julian Maciaszek
- Department of Psychiatry, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Joanna Rymaszewska
- Department of Psychiatry, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland
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Yi Ği Talp G, Gümüş F, Zengi N Aydin L. Determining the relationship between health anxiety and healthy lifestyle behaviors, and the factors that affect them: A cross-sectional study in Turkey. Perspect Psychiatr Care 2022; 58:1632-1641. [PMID: 34839532 DOI: 10.1111/ppc.12971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This study was conducted to determine the relationship between health anxiety (HA) and healthy lifestyle behaviors (HLBs), and the factors that affect them. DESIGN AND METHODS This descriptive, cross-sectional, and relational study was conducted with 1007 voluntary participants between June 1 and September 30, 2020. FINDINGS The participants' mean age was 33.46 ± 15.42 years. A positive-significant relationship was found between the participants' total HA and HLBs scores (r = 0.06, p = 0.03). The simple linear regression analysis performed by the researchers indicated that the explanatory power of HA as a determinant of HLBs was statistically significant (R2 = 0.05). PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS This study determined that health anxiety increased the tendency towards HLBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gülhan Yi Ği Talp
- Department of Nursing, Diyarbakir Atatürk School of Health, Dicle University, Diyarbakır, Turkey
| | - Funda Gümüş
- Department of Nursing, Diyarbakir Atatürk School of Health, Dicle University, Diyarbakır, Turkey
| | - Leyla Zengi N Aydin
- Department of Nursing, Diyarbakir Atatürk School of Health, Dicle University, Diyarbakır, Turkey
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Nicolai J, Moshagen M, Schillings K, Erdfelder E. The role of base-rate neglect in cyberchondria and health anxiety. J Anxiety Disord 2022; 91:102609. [PMID: 35963146 DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2022.102609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
Cyberchondria is characterized by excessive health-related online search behavior associated with an unfounded escalation of concerns about common symptomatology. It often co-occurs with health anxiety. We investigated whether base-rate neglect-the cognitive bias to ignore a priori probabilities (e.g., of serious diseases)-plays a significant role in cyberchondria and health anxiety. 368 participants were randomly assigned to eight experimental conditions, manipulating the base-rate (30 % vs. 70 %), the judgment domain (health-neutral versus health-related), and the salience of base-rate information (low vs. high) in a 2×2×2 between-subjects design when asking them for probability judgments with versus without disease relevance. We found that high salience decreased base-rate neglect in participants with low, but not in those with elevated levels of either cyberchondria or health anxiety. Under low salience conditions, however, both cyberchondria and health anxiety severity were uncorrelated with base-rate neglect. These effects were independent of whether health-related or health-neutral problems were evaluated. Our findings suggest a domain-general probabilistic reasoning style that may play a causal role in the pathogenesis of cyberchondria and health anxiety.
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20
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Prevalence of Cyberchondria among Outpatients with Metabolic Syndrome in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Southern India. ScientificWorldJournal 2022; 2022:3211501. [PMID: 36199439 PMCID: PMC9529447 DOI: 10.1155/2022/3211501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background. In today’s world, Internet-based medical information plays a significant role in patient education. There are several accessible health-related websites. It has become common to search Internet before going for a medical consultation. The main objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of cyberchondriasis and its association with demographic variables. Methods. A cross-sectional study was carried out among metabolic syndrome patients attending the cardiology, endocrinology, and neurology outpatient departments of a tertiary care hospital in South India. The prevalence of cyberchondriasis and its constructs were measured using the cyberchondria severity scale (CSS). Inferential statistics revealed no statistically significant difference in the average CSS scores across sociodemographic variables. Spearman correlation was conducted to determine the relationship between the constructs. Results. A total of 379 participants with metabolic syndrome were included in the study. 42.5% of them were severely affected, and 28.0% were moderately affected by cyberchondriasis. Among the constructs studied, compulsion (85.7%), distress (91.8%), excessiveness (96.6%), and reassurance (76.1%) constructs had an impact on a greater number of study participants, compared to mistrust of medical professional construct (33.0%). Cyberchondriasis had a significant relationship with the history of myocardial infarction (p value = 0.03). There was a statistically significant positive linear relationship between mistrust and reassurance (rs = 0.169, p value<0.001). Reassurance had a significant negative linear relationship with distress (rs = −0.147, p value = 0.004). Conclusion. In India, cyberchondriasis is a growing public mental health issue. Awareness among the general population is necessary to minimize the possible outcomes of cyberchondriasis like anxiety and depression. Screening individuals for possible risk factors is recommended.
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21
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Crawford MJ, Leeson VC, McQuaid A, Samuel O, King JD, Di Simplicio M, Tyrer P, Tyrer H, Watt RG, Barnicot K. Severe COVID-19 anxiety among adults in the UK: protocol for a cohort study and nested feasibility trial of modified cognitive-behavioural therapy for health anxiety. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e059321. [PMID: 36691181 PMCID: PMC9453423 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-059321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Some people are so anxious about COVID-19 that it impairs their functioning. However, little is known about the course of severe COVID-19 anxiety or what can be done to help people who experience it. METHODS AND ANALYSIS Cohort study with a nested feasibility trial with follow-up at 3 and 6 months. We recruited 306 people who were aged 18 and over, lived in the UK and had severe COVID-19 anxiety (indicated by a score of 9 or more on the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS)). To take part in the nested feasibility trial, participants also had to have a score of 20 or more on the Short Health Anxiety Inventory. We excluded people from the trial if they had had COVID-19 within the previous 4 weeks, if they were currently self-isolating or if they were already receiving psychological treatment.We publicised the study nationally through adverts, social media and posts on message boards. We also recruited participants via clinicians working in primary and secondary care NHS services in London. All those in the active arm will be offered 5-10 sessions of remotely delivered modified cognitive-behavioural therapy for health anxiety (CBT-HA). We will examine the proportion of participants who remain above threshold on the CAS at 3 and 6 months and factors that influence levels of COVID-19 anxiety over 6 months using mixed effects logistic regression. The key feasibility metrics for the nested trial are the level of uptake of CBT-HA and the rate of follow-up. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Approved by Leicester Central Research Ethics Committee (reference: 20/EM/0238). The results of the study will be published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ISRCTN14973494.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Jacob D King
- Division of Psychiatry, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | - Peter Tyrer
- Division of Psychiatry, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Helen Tyrer
- Division of Psychiatry, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Richard G Watt
- Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Kirsten Barnicot
- School of Health Sciences, City University of London, London, UK
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22
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The impact of teachers’ self-efficacy and classroom externalising problem behaviours on emotional exhaustion: Between- and within-person associations. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-022-03319-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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23
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Meng F, Guo X, Peng Z, Zhang X, Lai KH. Understanding the Antecedents of the Routine Use of Mobile Health Services: A Person-Technology-Health Framework. Front Psychol 2022; 13:879760. [PMID: 35783802 PMCID: PMC9245714 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.879760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Although numerous studies have been conducted to understand the antecedents of usage of mobile health (mHealth) services, most of them solely focus on characteristics of mHealth services themselves but neglect taking users' psychological and health-related factors into consideration. Besides, the comprehensive understanding of what influences users' routine use intentions regarding mHealth services is lacking. Therefore, this study proposes a person-technology-health framework that underlines how personal factors (e.g., personal innovativeness in IT), technological factors (e.g., trust), and health factors (e.g., perceived health severity) jointly influence individuals' routine use intentions regarding mHealth services. The proposed research model and related hypotheses were tested based on survey data from 270 respondents. The results indicate that personal innovativeness in IT, trust, and perceived health severity are important for enhancing routine use intention of mHealth services. Specifically, in situations of high perceived health severity, trust relates less positively to routine use intention than personal innovativeness in IT. In contrast, in situations of low perceived health severity, trust relates more positively to routine use intention than personal innovativeness in IT. The research findings extend the existing literature on routine use intention related to mHealth services and provide significant implications for practitioners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanbo Meng
- School of Business Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Xitong Guo
- Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
| | - Zeyu Peng
- Business School, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaofei Zhang
- School of Business, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Kee-hung Lai
- Department of Logistics and Maritime Studies, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Kubb C, Foran HM. Online Health Information Seeking for Self and Child: An Experimental Study of Parental Symptom Search. JMIR Pediatr Parent 2022; 5:e29618. [PMID: 35532970 PMCID: PMC9127650 DOI: 10.2196/29618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Parents often search the web for health-related information for themselves or on behalf of their children, which may impact their health-related decision-making and behaviors. In particular, searching for somatic symptoms such as headaches, fever, or fatigue is common. However, little is known about how psychological and relational factors relate to the characteristics of successful symptom-related internet searches. To date, few studies have used experimental designs that connect participant subjective search evaluation with objective search behavior metrics. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to examine the features of web-based health-related search behaviors based on video-coded observational data, to investigate which psychological and relational factors are related to successful symptom search appraisal, and to examine the differences in search-related outcomes among self-seekers and by-proxy seekers. METHODS In a laboratory setting, parents living in Austria (N=46) with a child aged between 0 and 6 years were randomized to search their own (n=23, 50%) or their child's (n=23, 50%) most recent somatic symptom on the web. Web-based activity was recorded and transcribed. Health anxiety, eHealth literacy, attitude toward web-based health information, relational variables, state of stress, participants' search appraisals, and quantitative properties of the search session were assessed. Differences in search appraisals and search characteristics among parents who searched for themselves or their children were examined. RESULTS Across both groups, searches were carried out for 17 different symptom clusters. Almost all parents started with Google (44/46, 96%), and a majority used initial elaborated key phrases with >1 search keyword (38/45, 84%) and performed on average 2.95 (SD 1.83) search queries per session. Search success was negatively associated with health anxiety (rs=-0.39, P=.01), stress after the search (rs=-0.33, P=.02), and the number of search queries (rs=-0.29, P=.04) but was not significantly associated with eHealth literacy (rs=0.22, P=.13). Of note, eHealth literacy was strongly and positively correlated with satisfaction during the search (rs=0.50, P<.001) but did not significantly correlate with search characteristics as measured by search duration (rs=0.08, P=.56), number of performed search queries (rs=0.20, P=.17), or total clicks (rs=0.14, P=.32). No differences were found between parents searching for their own symptoms and parents searching for their child's symptoms. CONCLUSIONS This study provides exploratory findings regarding relevant dimensions of appraisals for symptom-based information seeking on the web. Consistent with previous literature, health anxiety was found to be associated with poorer search evaluation. Contrary to expectations, eHealth literacy was related neither to search success nor to search characteristics. Interestingly, we did not find significant differences between self-seekers and by-proxy seekers, suggesting similar search and evaluation patterns in our sample. Further research with larger samples is needed to identify and evaluate guidelines for enhanced web-based health information seeking among parents and the general public.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Kubb
- Health Psychology Unit, Institute of Psychology, Universität Klagenfurt, Klagenfurt, Austria
| | - Heather M Foran
- Health Psychology Unit, Institute of Psychology, Universität Klagenfurt, Klagenfurt, Austria
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Nadeem F, Malik NI, Atta M, Ullah I, Martinotti G, Pettorruso M, Vellante F, Di Giannantonio M, De Berardis D. Relationship between Health-Anxiety and Cyberchondria: Role of Metacognitive Beliefs. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11092590. [PMID: 35566713 PMCID: PMC9101818 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11092590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose: The current study was designed to examine the relationship between health anxiety, cyberchondria (its constructs), and metacognitive beliefs. In addition, it also evaluated the moderating role of metacognitive beliefs in this relationship. Design and Method: The present study used the purposive sampling technique to acquire a sample of (N = 500) adults, among them (N = 256) women and (N = 244) men, and the age of the sample ranged from 20 to 50 years. Short Health Anxiety Inventory, Cyberchondria Severity Scale, and Metacognitions Questionnaire–Health Anxiety were used to operationalize the present study variables. Findings: The descriptive statistics revealed that all instruments have good psychometric properties, as Cronbach’s alpha coefficients for all scales are ≥0.70. In addition to this, the Pearson correlation showed that all variables of the present study have a significant positive correlation with each other. Furthermore, the regression analysis described that health anxiety and metacognitive beliefs (biased thinking and beliefs about uncontrollable thoughts) were the significant positive predictors of cyberchondria. Moreover, moderation analysis showed that metacognitive beliefs significantly strengthened the association between health anxiety and cyberchondria and its constructs. Practical Implications: The present study will help medical practitioners to understand how metacognitive beliefs and health anxiety can cause an increase in cyberchondria. This will help them to design better treatment plans for people with cyberchondria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faiza Nadeem
- Department of Psychology, University of Sargodha, Sargodha 40100, Pakistan; (F.N.); (N.I.M.); (M.A.)
| | - Najma Iqbal Malik
- Department of Psychology, University of Sargodha, Sargodha 40100, Pakistan; (F.N.); (N.I.M.); (M.A.)
| | - Mohsin Atta
- Department of Psychology, University of Sargodha, Sargodha 40100, Pakistan; (F.N.); (N.I.M.); (M.A.)
| | - Irfan Ullah
- Kabir Medical College, Gandhara University, Peshawar 25000, Pakistan;
| | - Giovanni Martinotti
- Department of Neurosciences and Imaging, Chair of Psychiatry, University “G. D’Annunzio”, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (G.M.); (M.P.); (F.V.); (M.D.G.)
| | - Mauro Pettorruso
- Department of Neurosciences and Imaging, Chair of Psychiatry, University “G. D’Annunzio”, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (G.M.); (M.P.); (F.V.); (M.D.G.)
| | - Federica Vellante
- Department of Neurosciences and Imaging, Chair of Psychiatry, University “G. D’Annunzio”, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (G.M.); (M.P.); (F.V.); (M.D.G.)
| | - Massimo Di Giannantonio
- Department of Neurosciences and Imaging, Chair of Psychiatry, University “G. D’Annunzio”, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (G.M.); (M.P.); (F.V.); (M.D.G.)
| | - Domenico De Berardis
- National Health Service, Department of Mental Health, ASL 4, 64100 Teramo, Italy
- Correspondence:
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Bartoszek G, Ranney RM, Curanovic I, Costello SJ, Behar E. Intolerance of uncertainty and information-seeking behavior: Experimental manipulation of threat relevance. Behav Res Ther 2022; 154:104125. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2022.104125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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Stevic A, Koban K, Binder A, Matthes J. You are not alone: Smartphone use, friendship satisfaction, and anxiety during the COVID-19 crisis. MOBILE MEDIA & COMMUNICATION 2022; 10:294-315. [PMID: 35515341 PMCID: PMC9019501 DOI: 10.1177/20501579211051820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Due to 'stay-at-home' measures, individuals increasingly relied on smartphones for social connection and for obtaining information about the COVID-19 pandemic. In a two-wave panel survey (N Time2 = 416), we investigated associations between different types of smartphone use (i.e., communicative and non-communicative), friendship satisfaction, and anxiety during the first lockdown in Austria. Our findings revealed that communicative smartphone use increased friendship satisfaction over time, validating how smartphones can be a positive influence in difficult times. Friendship satisfaction decreased anxiety after one month, signaling the importance of strong friendship networks during the crisis. Contrary to our expectations, non-communicative smartphone use had no effects on friendship satisfaction or anxiety over time. Reciprocal effects showed that anxiety increased both types of smartphone use over time. These findings are discussed in the context of mobile media effects related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Stevic
- Department of Communication, University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Kevin Koban
- Department of Communication, University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Alice Binder
- Department of Communication, University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Jörg Matthes
- Department of Communication, University of Vienna, Austria
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28
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Ciułkowicz M, Misiak B, Szcześniak D, Grzebieluch J, Maciaszek J, Rymaszewska J. The Portrait of Cyberchondria-A Cross-Sectional Online Study on Factors Related to Health Anxiety and Cyberchondria in Polish Population during SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19074347. [PMID: 35410027 PMCID: PMC8998772 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19074347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has served as a magnifying glass for cyberchondria, while the internet emerged as one of the main sources of medical information and support. The core ambition of this study was to estimate the level of cyberchondria and describe the socio-demographic, clinical and pandemic-related factors affecting its severity amid the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. A cross-sectional study was performed between 16 May 2020 and 29 December 2020 in Poland within a sample of 538 adult internet users. The online survey tool included a Polish adaptation of the Cyberchondria Severity Scale (CSS-PL) and the Short Health Anxiety Inventory (SHAI), complemented with a set of questions covering sociodemographic, clinical and pandemic-related factors. Participants were clustered according to severity of health anxiety and cyberchondria symptoms. The performed binary logistic regression indicated professional inactivity, having a chronic mental disorder and subjectively limited access to healthcare due to COVID-19 to be key determinants of severe health anxiety and cyberchondria. Cyberchondria might be a remarkable public health issue as large proportion of respondents from the analyzed sample population of internet users met the criteria for severe symptoms. Key determinants of intense cyberchondria corresponded with employment stability, mental resilience and accessibility of healthcare services, which could be greatly challenged amid the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Ciułkowicz
- Department of Psychiatry, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland; (B.M.); (D.S.); (J.M.); (J.R.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Błażej Misiak
- Department of Psychiatry, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland; (B.M.); (D.S.); (J.M.); (J.R.)
| | - Dorota Szcześniak
- Department of Psychiatry, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland; (B.M.); (D.S.); (J.M.); (J.R.)
| | - Jolanta Grzebieluch
- Department of Population Health, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Julian Maciaszek
- Department of Psychiatry, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland; (B.M.); (D.S.); (J.M.); (J.R.)
| | - Joanna Rymaszewska
- Department of Psychiatry, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland; (B.M.); (D.S.); (J.M.); (J.R.)
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Chadwick V, Bennett KF, McCaffery KJ, Brotherton JML, Dodd RH. Psychosocial impact of testing HPV positive in Australia’s HPV‐based cervical screening program: a cross‐sectional survey. Psychooncology 2022; 31:1110-1119. [PMID: 35128756 PMCID: PMC9546150 DOI: 10.1002/pon.5897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Objective To examine the impact of self‐reported human papillomavirus (HPV) test result (HPV negative, HPV positive, HPV result unknown) on a range of psychosocial outcomes. Methods Women and other people with a cervix in Australia aged 25–74 years who reported having participated in cervical screening since December 2017 were recruited through Facebook and Instagram to complete an online survey. The primary outcome measures were anxiety, emotional distress, and general distress. Results Nine hundred fifteen participants completed the online survey; 73.2% reported testing HPV negative (‘HPV−’), 15% reported testing HPV positive (‘HPV+’) and 11.8% reported that they did not know/remember their test result (‘HPV unknown’). Compared to participants testing HPV−, participants testing HPV+ had higher mean anxiety (41.67 vs. 37.08, p < 0.001) and emotional distress scores (11.88 vs. 7.71, p < 0.001). Concern about test result (34.3% vs. 1.3%, p < 0.001), perceived risk compared to average women (55.4% vs. 14.1%, p < 0.001), and cancer worry (27.8% vs. 5.9%, p < 0.001) were also greater among HPV+ participants than participants testing HPV−. Participants testing HPV+ felt less reassured about their screening result than participants testing HPV− (16% vs. 75.1%, p < 0.001). Participants testing HPV+ had greater knowledge of HPV (11.96 vs. 10.36 out of 16, p < 0.001) and HPV testing (3.94 vs 3.28 out of 5, p < 0.001) than participants who reported testing HPV−. Conclusions Elevated levels of anxiety and emotional distress were found in those testing HPV+ compared with those testing HPV−. Future research should examine what strategies should be used to deliver test results and what additional information is provided, in order to alleviate anxiety among individuals testing HPV+. Anxiety and emotional distress are significantly greater in individuals who report testing human papillomavirus positive (HPV+) Knowledge of human papillomavirus (HPV) is high in individuals who report testing HPV+, but there are still some significant knowledge gaps Future research is needed to examine how individuals should best receive HPV test results, and what resources should be provided
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kirsty F Bennett
- Department of Behavioural Science and Health Cancer Communication and Screening Group University College London London UK
| | - Kirsten J McCaffery
- School of Public Health The University of Sydney Faculty of Medicine and Health NSW2006 Australia
| | - Julia ML Brotherton
- VCS Population Health VCS Foundation Level 6, 176 Wellington Parade East Melbourne VIC3002 Australia
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health University of Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - Rachael H Dodd
- School of Public Health The University of Sydney Faculty of Medicine and Health NSW2006 Australia
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Watt S, Salway T, Gómez-Ramírez O, Ablona A, Barton L, Chang HJ, Pedersen H, Haag D, LeMoult J, Gilbert M. Rumination, risk, and response: a qualitative analysis of sexual health anxiety among online sexual health chat service users. Sex Health 2022; 19:182-191. [DOI: 10.1071/sh21198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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31
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Peng XQ, Chen Y, Zhang YC, Liu F, He HY, Luo T, Dai PP, Xie WZ, Luo AJ. The Status and Influencing Factors of Cyberchondria During the COVID-19 Epidemic. A Cross-Sectional Study in Nanyang City of China. Front Psychol 2021; 12:712703. [PMID: 34858254 PMCID: PMC8632535 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.712703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyberchondria is considered “the anxiety-amplifying effects of online health-related searches.” During the COVID-19 pandemic, people are likely to search health-related information online for reassurance because of fear and related physical symptoms, while cyberchondria may be triggered due to the escalation of health anxiety, different online seeking behavior preference, information overload, and insufficient e-health literacy. This study aimed to investigate the status and influencing factors of cyberchondria in residents in China during the epidemic period of COVID-19. The participants were 674 community residents of Nanyang city surveyed from February 1 to 15, 2020. We administered online measures, including the Chinese Short Form of the Cyberchondria Severity Scale (C-CSS-12), Short Health Anxiety Inventory (SHAI), eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS), Patient Health Questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15), and COVID-19-related online information seeking behavior questionnaire. In our study, the average C-CSS-12 total score of residents was 30.65 ± 11.53 during the virus epidemic; 25% of participants scored 22 or below, 50% scored 23 to 38, and 21.9% scored 39 to 60. The SHAI total score (β = 0.598 > 0, P < 0.001), the use of general search engines (β = 1.867 > 0, P = 0.039), and searching for information on how to diagnose COVID-19 (β = 2.280 > 0, P = 0.020) were independent risk factors for cyberchondria, while searching lasting less than 10 min each (β = −2.992 < 0, P = 0.048), the use of traditional media digital platforms (β = −1.650 < 0, P = 0.024) and professional medical communication platforms (β = −4.189 < 0, P = 0.007) were independent protective factors. Our findings showed that nearly a quarter of the participants scored 39 or higher on the C-CSS-12 in Nanyang city during the pandemic, which should be taken seriously. Health anxiety and COVID-19-related online information seeking behavior including online duration, topics and choice on different information channels were important influencing factors of cyberchondria. These findings have implications for further research and clinical practice on cyberchondria in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Qing Peng
- The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Information Research, Central South University, College of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Yang Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yi-Chuan Zhang
- The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Fei Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Hai-Yan He
- School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ting Luo
- The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ping-Ping Dai
- The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wen-Zhao Xie
- The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Information Research, Central South University, College of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Ai-Jing Luo
- The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
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Schenkel SK, Jungmann SM, Gropalis M, Witthöft M. Conceptualizations of Cyberchondria and Relations to the Anxiety Spectrum: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. J Med Internet Res 2021; 23:e27835. [PMID: 34792473 PMCID: PMC8663695 DOI: 10.2196/27835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cyberchondria describes the detrimental effects of health-related internet use. Current conceptualizations agree that cyberchondria is associated with anxiety-related pathologies and may best be conceptualized as a safety behavior; however, little is known about its exact underlying mechanisms. OBJECTIVE This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to give an overview of the conceptualizations of cyberchondria and its relation to anxiety-related pathologies, quantify the strength of association to health anxiety by using meta-analyses, highlight gaps in the literature, and outline a hypothetical integrative cognitive-behavioral model of cyberchondria based on the available empirical evidence. METHODS A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, and PsycINFO electronic databases. A total of 25 studies were included for qualitative synthesis and 7 studies, comprising 3069 individuals, were included for quantitative synthesis. The meta-analysis revealed a strong association of cyberchondria (r=0.63) and its subfacets (r=0.24-0.66) with health anxiety. RESULTS The results indicate that cyberchondria is a distinct construct related to health anxiety, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, intolerance of uncertainty, and anxiety sensitivity. Further studies should distinguish between state and trait markers of anxiety-related pathologies and use experimental and naturalistic longitudinal designs to differentiate among risk factors, triggers, and consequences related to cyberchondria. CONCLUSIONS Health-related internet use in the context of health anxiety is best conceptualized as health-related safety behavior maintained through intermittent reinforcement. Here, we present a corresponding integrative cognitive-behavioral model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra K Schenkel
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy, and Experimental Psychopathology, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Stefanie M Jungmann
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy, and Experimental Psychopathology, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Maria Gropalis
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy, and Experimental Psychopathology, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Michael Witthöft
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy, and Experimental Psychopathology, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
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Jagtap S, Shamblaw AL, Rumas R, Best MW. Information seeking and health anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic: The mediating role of catastrophic cognitions. Clin Psychol Psychother 2021; 28:1379-1390. [PMID: 34734452 PMCID: PMC8652628 DOI: 10.1002/cpp.2684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Cognitive–behavioural models of health anxiety propose a positive association between information seeking and health anxiety; however, it is unclear the extent to which cognitive mechanisms may mediate this relationship. Catastrophic cognitions are one type of cognition that may mediate this relationship, and the COVID‐19 pandemic has presented an opportunity to examine these relationships within the context of a global health catastrophe. The current study investigated both cross‐sectional (N = 797) and longitudinal (n = 395) relationships between information seeking, health anxiety and catastrophizing during the pandemic. Data were collected using Amazon Mechanical Turk during April and May 2020. Information seeking and health anxiety were positively associated both cross‐sectionally and longitudinally (rs = .25–.29). Catastrophic cognitions significantly mediated the relationship between information seeking and health anxiety both cross‐sectionally and longitudinally. Developing effective methods of reducing information seeking and catastrophizing may serve to reduce health anxiety during global health crises such as the current pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shreya Jagtap
- Department of Psychological Clinical Science, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Amanda L Shamblaw
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rachel Rumas
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael W Best
- Department of Psychological Clinical Science, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Huang Q, Cao S, Zhou S, Punia D, Zhu X, Luo Y, Wu H. How anxiety predicts interpersonal curiosity during the COVID-19 pandemic: The mediation effect of interpersonal distancing and autistic tendency. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2021; 180:110973. [PMID: 34629580 PMCID: PMC8487302 DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2021.110973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
With the worldwide implementation of quarantine regulations to suppress the spread of the COVID-19, anxiety, interpersonal distancing and autistic tendency may decrease individuals' desire to seek interpersonal information and thus might have negative effects on their interpersonal curiosity. Through behavioral paradigms and scales, two studies were conducted (Study 1: n = 570; Study 2: n = 501). We explored the predictive effect of anxiety on interpersonal curiosity in situations when mandatory isolation measures have led to dramatic changes in interpersonal distancing and autistic tendency. We found that interpersonal distancing and autistic tendency negatively predicted interpersonal curiosity, and these predictive effects suppressed the positive prediction of state anxiety to interpersonal curiosity. Our research provides insights into the relationships among anxiety, curiosity, interpersonal distancing, and autistic tendency during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Huang
- Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences and Department of Psychology, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR, China
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
- Institute of Cognition, Brain and Health, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Siqi Cao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Behavioral Science, Institute of Psychology, Beijing, China
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shengkang Zhou
- Department of Psychology, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Xiangru Zhu
- Institute of Cognition, Brain and Health, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Yuejia Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
- College of Teacher Education, Qilu Normal University, Jinan China
| | - Haiyan Wu
- Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences and Department of Psychology, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR, China
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35
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Özer Ö, Özmen S, Özkan O. Investigation of the effect of cyberchondria behavior on e-health literacy in healthcare workers. Hosp Top 2021; 101:94-102. [PMID: 34461810 DOI: 10.1080/00185868.2021.1969873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
This study aims to examine the effects of nurses' and other healthcare workers' perceptions of cyberchondria on e-health literacy. No sample was selected in the research, and a total of 220 people were surveyed. According to the result of the regression analysis, the perception of cyberchondria explains 12.4% of the total variance on e-health literacy. Based on the findings of the research, it can be said that the increase in the perception of the participants about the excessiveness dimension increases the levels of e-health literacy statistically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Özlem Özer
- Faculty of Gulhane Health Sciences, Department of Healthcare Management, University of Health Sciences Turkey, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Sümeyye Özmen
- Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Department of Healthcare Management, Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University, Burdur, Turkey
| | - Okan Özkan
- Faculty of Gulhane Health Sciences, Department of Healthcare Management, University of Health Sciences Turkey, Ankara, Turkey
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36
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SARIGEDİK E, ÖLMEZ SB. The investigation of the relationships among coronavirus anxiety, cyberchondria, and online shopping. KONURALP TIP DERGISI 2021. [DOI: 10.18521/ktd.928468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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37
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Mirzaei A, Aslani P, Luca EJ, Schneider CR. Predictors of Health Information-Seeking Behavior: Systematic Literature Review and Network Analysis. J Med Internet Res 2021; 23:e21680. [PMID: 33979776 PMCID: PMC8285748 DOI: 10.2196/21680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background People engage in health information–seeking behavior to support health outcomes, and being able to predict such behavior can inform the development of interventions to guide effective health information seeking. Obtaining a comprehensive list of the predictors of health information–seeking behavior through a systematic search of the literature and exploring the interrelationship of these predictors are critical first steps in this process. Objective This study aims to identify significant predictors of health information–seeking behavior in the primary literature, develop a common taxonomy for these predictors, and identify the evolution of the concerned research field. Methods A systematic search of PsycINFO, Scopus, and PubMed was conducted for all years up to and including December 10, 2019. Quantitative studies identifying significant predictors of health information–seeking behavior were included. Information seeking was broadly defined and not restricted to any source of health information. Data extraction of significant predictors was performed by 2 authors, and network analysis was conducted to observe the relationships between predictors with time. Results A total of 9549 articles were retrieved, and after the screening, 344 studies were retained for analysis. A total of 1595 significant predictors were identified. These predictors were categorized into 67 predictor categories, with the most central predictors being age, education, gender, health condition, and financial income. With time, the interrelationship of predictors in the network became denser, with the growth of new predictor grouping reaching saturation (1 new predictor identified) in the past 7 years, despite increasing publication rates. Conclusions A common taxonomy was developed to classify 67 significant predictors of health information–seeking behavior. A time-aggregated network method was developed to track the evolution of the research field, showing the maturation of new predictor terms and an increase in primary studies reporting multiple significant predictors of health information–seeking behavior. The literature has evolved with a decreased characterization of novel predictors of health information–seeking behavior. In contrast, we identified a parallel increase in the complexity of predicting health information–seeking behavior, with an increase in the literature describing multiple significant predictors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ardalan Mirzaei
- The University of Sydney School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Australia
| | - Parisa Aslani
- The University of Sydney School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Carl Richard Schneider
- The University of Sydney School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Australia
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Tyrer P, Wang D, Crawford M, Dupont S, Cooper S, Nourmand S, Lazarevic V, Philip A, Tyrer H. Sustained benefit of cognitive behaviour therapy for health anxiety in medical patients (CHAMP) over 8 years: a randomised-controlled trial. Psychol Med 2021; 51:1714-1722. [PMID: 32174296 DOI: 10.1017/s003329172000046x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Health anxiety is an under-recognised but a frequent cause of distress. It is particularly common in general hospitals. METHODS We carried out an 8-year follow-up of medical out-patients with health anxiety (hypochondriasis) enrolled in a randomised-controlled trial in five general hospitals in London, Middlesex and Nottinghamshire. Randomisation was to a mean of six sessions of cognitive behaviour therapy adapted for health anxiety (CBT-HA) or to standard care in the clinics. The primary outcome was a change in score on the Short Health Anxiety Inventory, with generalised anxiety and depression as secondary outcomes. Of 444 patients aged 16-75 years seen in cardiology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, neurology and respiratory medicine clinics, 306 (68.9%) were followed-up 8 years after randomisation, including 36 who had died. The study is registered with controlled-trials.com, ISRCTN14565822. RESULTS There was a significant difference in the HAI score in favour of CBT-HA over standard care after 8 years [1.83, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.25-3.40, p = 0.023], between group differences in generalised anxiety were less (0.54, 95% CI -0.29 to 1.36), p = 0.20, ns), but those for depression were greater at 8 years (1.22, 95% CI 0.42-2.01, p < 0.003) in CBT-HA than in standard care, most in standard care satisfying the criteria for clinical depression. Those seen by nurse therapists and in cardiology and gastrointestinal clinics achieved the greatest gains with CBT-HA, with greater improvement in both symptoms and social function. CONCLUSIONS CBT-HA is a highly long-term effective treatment for pathological health anxiety with long-term benefits. Standard care for health anxiety in medical clinics promotes depression. Nurse therapists are effective practitioners.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Tyrer
- Centre for Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - D Wang
- Department of Statistics, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - M Crawford
- Centre for Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - S Dupont
- Central Northwest London Foundation NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - S Cooper
- Centre for Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - S Nourmand
- Centre for Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - V Lazarevic
- Centre for Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - A Philip
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - H Tyrer
- Centre for Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, London, UK
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Abstract
Health anxiety, formerly part of hypochondriasis, but now reformulated as excessive concern about health and, by extension, illness, comprises a large proportion of consultations in hospital practice. For too long it has been ignored in practice and not formally treated. This belief is no longer tenable, and in the last few years a number of easily administered psychological treatments have shown consistent benefit that help patients, practitioners and planners of services. A stepped care approach in which physicians and nurses are first helped to identify health anxiety, explain its significance to patients and then, if necessary, administer these treatments in the clinical setting without referral to psychiatric services, is recommended as a way forward. This approach should be embraced in secondary care.
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40
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Bandinelli L, Ornell F, von Diemen L, Kessler FHP. The Sum of Fears in Cancer Patients Inside the Context of the COVID-19. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:557834. [PMID: 33897477 PMCID: PMC8058213 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.557834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The pandemic resulting from COVID-19 has led to the collapse of the health system in dozens of countries. Parallel to clinical risk, the appearance or intensification of psychiatric symptoms has also been documented. The identification of groups at risk is essential for the establishment of preventive and therapeutic strategies. Cancer patients appear to be especially vulnerable both from a clinical and psychiatric perspective. Problems related to contamination and the cancer treatments themselves are intertwined, causing a sum of patients' fears to arise, which can cause mental effects. This study aims to review and investigate the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of cancer patients and indicate possible support strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Bandinelli
- Postgraduate Program in Psychology, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Lab (DCNL), Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Felipe Ornell
- Center for Drug and Alcohol Research and Collaborating Center on Alcohol and Drugs, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Lisia von Diemen
- Center for Drug and Alcohol Research and Collaborating Center on Alcohol and Drugs, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Queen's University Department of Psychiatry, Providence Care Hospital, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Felix Henrique Paim Kessler
- Center for Drug and Alcohol Research and Collaborating Center on Alcohol and Drugs, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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Trust and elderly users' continuance intention regarding mobile health services: the contingent role of health and technology anxieties. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY & PEOPLE 2021. [DOI: 10.1108/itp-11-2019-0602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
PurposeMobile health (mHealth) services are considered an important means of relieving the problems of the aging population. The efficiency of mHealth services can be enhanced by engaging more elderly users and guaranteeing their continued use. However, limited attention has been directed toward investigating elderly users' continuance intention regarding mHealth services. The purpose of this paper is to explain elderly users' continuance intention by investigating the contingent role of technology anxiety and health anxiety on affective trust and cognitive trust.Design/methodology/approachSurvey data were collected from 232 elderly users to verify the research model and hypotheses based on structural equation modeling (SEM).FindingsThis study revealed that both affective and cognitive trust enhance elderly users' continuance intention regarding their use of mHealth services. Health anxiety strengthens the effect of cognitive trust but weakens the effect of affective trust with regard to continuance intention. Furthermore, technology anxiety strengthens the effect of affective trust but not the effect of cognitive trust with regard to continuance intention.Originality/valueThis study is one of the first to examine elderly users' continuance intention regarding mHealth services use from the perspective of affective and cognitive trust, thus enriching the extant literature on the use of mHealth services. Additionally, this study sheds light on the contingent effects of technology anxiety and health anxiety on affective and cognitive trust, which have been neglected by previous research.
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Chen T. A systematic integrative review of cognitive biases in consumer health information seeking: emerging perspective of behavioral information research. JOURNAL OF DOCUMENTATION 2020. [DOI: 10.1108/jd-01-2020-0004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
PurposeWith the growing interest in behavioral health and medical decision-making, this systematic integrative review aims to understand research on cognitive biases in the context of consumer health information seeking and where future research opportunities may reside.Design/methodology/approachFollowing a systematic review protocol, 40 empirical research articles, out of 1,127 journal research papers from 12 academic databases, from 1995 to 2019, are included for review.FindingsThe study of cognitive biases in consumer health information seeking is a nascent and fast-growing phenomenon, with variety in publication venues and research methods. Among the 16 biases investigated, optimistic bias and confirmation bias have attracted most attention (46.9%). Researchers are most interested in specific disease/illness (35%) and the health factors of consumer products (17.5%). For theoretical presence, about one-third of the reviewed articles have cited behavioral economist Daniel Kahneman, although most of the references are the early works of Kahneman.Research limitations/implicationsAs an emerging research area, there exists plenty of cognitive biases to be investigated in the context of health information seeking. In the meantime, the adoption of more recent theoretical insights such as nudge for debiasing may enrich this research area. Health communication scientists may find incorporating the behavioral decision research framework enriches the disciplinary inquiry of health information seeking, while information scientists could use it to commence the cognitive turn of information science evolution.Originality/valueThrough evidence-based understanding, this review shows the potential research directions that health communication scientists and information scientists could contribute to optimize health decisions through the adoption of behavioral decision research framework.
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Jokic-Begic N, Lauri Korajlija A, Mikac U. Cyberchondria in the age of COVID-19. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0243704. [PMID: 33332400 PMCID: PMC7746178 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0243704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The global epidemic of (mis)information, spreading rapidly via social media platforms and other outlets, can be a risk factor for the development of anxiety disorders among vulnerable individuals. Cyberchondria can be a vulnerability factor for developing anxiety in a pandemic situation, particularly when the Internet is flooded with (mis)information. The aim of our study was to examine how cyberchondria is related to changes in levels of COVID-19 concern and safety behaviours among persons living in Croatia during the period in which the first COVID-19 case was identified and when the country recorded its first fatality. Repeated cross-sectional data collection was conducted during two waves over a period of three weeks (N1 = 888; N2 = 966). The first began on the day of the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Croatia (February 24th, 2020) and the second wave began three weeks later, on the day the first COVID-19 fatality was recorded in Croatia (March 19th, 2020). Participants completed an online questionnaire regarding various COVID-19 concerns and safety behaviours aimed at disease prevention (information seeking, avoidance and hygiene) and a measure of cyberchondria (Short Cyberchondria Scale, SCS). We analysed whether changes to the epidemiological situation during the period between the two waves of data collection led to an increase in COVID-19 related behaviour directly and indirectly via an increase in COVID-19 concerns. The results indicated that, between the two waves of research, there was a pronounced increase in concerns regarding COVID-19 (b = 1.11, p < .001) as well as significant behavioural changes (b = 1.18-2.34, p < .001). Also, results demonstrated that cyberchondria plays a moderating role in these changes. In the first wave, persons with severe cyberchondria were already intensely concerned with safety behaviours. High cyberchondria and high levels of concern about the COVID-19 are associated with intense avoidance behaviours, R2 = .63, p < .001. A moderated partial mediation model was confirmed, in which the effect of the epidemiological situation was weaker for those with higher results on the SCS (as indicated by index of moderated mediation between -.10 and -.15, p < .05). As such, cyberchondria is a contributing factor to long-term anxiety and its impact during pandemic on the general mental health burden should therefore be further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasa Jokic-Begic
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Anita Lauri Korajlija
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Una Mikac
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
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Medically unexplained symptoms in children: an experimental investigation of the impact of internet searching on parental responses. Behav Cogn Psychother 2020; 49:91-103. [PMID: 33121544 DOI: 10.1017/s1352465820000752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) are symptoms for which no medical cause can be identified. For children and adolescents, symptoms can be maintained through parental responses. AIMS The present study investigated the impact that internet searching of symptoms has on parental responses to MUS. METHOD One hundred and twenty-seven adult participants read a vignette in which they were asked to imagine they were a parent of a young person with MUS and completed visual analogue scales (VAS) reporting their beliefs, emotions and behavioural intentions about the MUS. Participants were then randomly assigned to one of three conditions: searching reputable websites for further information about the symptoms (n = 47), free search of any websites for further information about the symptoms (n = 38) or a control condition (n = 42) during which participants spent 10 minutes doing their usual behaviour on the internet, for example checking email and social media. Participants then completed the VAS for a second time. RESULTS Searching reputable websites led to a significantly greater decrease in behaviour VAS scores compared with the free search condition [F (1,123) = 11.374, p < .001], indicating that participants were less likely to seek a second opinion and to advise the child to avoid usual activities. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated that internet searching reputable sites for information regarding physical symptoms can be positive and it may therefore be advisable for health professionals meeting children with MUS to provide the family with information links to reputable sources.
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Barattucci M, Chirico A, Kuvačić G, De Giorgio A. Rethinking the Role of Affect in Risk Judgment: What We Have Learned From COVID-19 During the First Week of Quarantine in Italy. Front Psychol 2020; 11:554561. [PMID: 33132962 PMCID: PMC7565677 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.554561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to COVID-19 spreading in Italy, on March 11 the Prime Minister of Italy declared a lockdown and imposed severe restrictive measures impacting citizens’ freedom at several levels. People were required to stay at home and go out only to satisfy basic needs. Several risk models have postulated a link among online searching behavior, affect, anxiety, and complaints by individuals toward government restrictions (GR), which emerged as also related to an increased perception of knowledge toward risk. However, to date, no study has addressed how these key risk-related aspects (i.e., affect, anxiety, perceived knowledge on risk, and risk dimensions) can act jointly to orient online health information-seeking behavior, and people’s complaints toward GR imposed during the lockdown. This study investigated the mechanisms underlying online health information-seeking behavior and people’s complaints toward the government’s restrictions during a COVID-19 emergency in the Italian population. Drawing from the health belief model (HBM), which postulates a link between sociodemographic variables, risk, and affect dimensions in emergency, we assumed risk factors as predictors of affect and anxiety, which, in turn, were posited as mediators between risk dimensions, online health information-seeking behavior, and complaints toward GR. Participants (1,031) were involved during the first week of the quarantine (March 11–18) and completed an online survey composed of (i) an adapted version of the Italian Risk Perception Questionnaire; (ii) the Italian Positive (PA) and Negative Affect (NA) Schedule (PANAS-10); (iii) the State Anxiety Scale (STAI-Y1); (iv) ad hoc personal knowledge measure about novel coronavirus; (v) ad hoc item measuring information search behavior regarding the novel coronavirus; (vi) ad hoc measure of the complains regarding GR; and (vii) sociodemographic questions. General linear models and structural equation modeling (SEM) were carried out to test the model. Sociodemographic and cognitive factors predicted the participants’ affect and anxiety, which, in turn, motivated and fully mediated both information search behavior and complaint toward GR. This research can offer useful suggestions for policy-makers during the COVID-19 emergency, and it advanced the knowledge on the risk–emotion link in emergency situations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alice Chirico
- Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milan, Italy
| | - Goran Kuvačić
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Split, Split, Croatia
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Chang CC, Huang MH. Antecedents predicting health information seeking: A systematic review and meta-analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFORMATION MANAGEMENT 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2020.102115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Menon V, Kar SK, Tripathi A, Nebhinani N, Varadharajan N. Cyberchondria: conceptual relation with health anxiety, assessment, management and prevention. Asian J Psychiatr 2020; 53:102225. [PMID: 32585634 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2020.102225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 06/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
There is a need to synthesize available information on the emerging construct of cyberchondria to guide evidence informed practice. With this in mind, electronic search of databases including MEDLINE via PubMed, Cochrane Library, ScienceDirect and Google scholar were carried out from inception till March 2020 to identify relevant English language peer reviewed articles related to cyberchondria. Generated abstracts were grouped according to their thematic focus and summarized. A total of 49 articles were reviewed. Articles directly evaluating cyberchondria were very few and most of the treatment evidence was extrapolated from trials on health anxiety. Cyberchondria appears to be a phenomenologically overlapping entity with, yet distinguishable from, health anxiety and there may be merit in studying the two constructs separately. Four validated self-assessment measures for cyberchondria are available in literature. Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) delivered either physically or through the internet (iCBT) have been found to be effective for both health anxiety and cyberchondria. Pharmacologic strategies for health anxiety have mainly involved the use of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, with mean effective dosages higher than for depression/anxiety. Prevention of cyberchondria needs to focus on appropriate harm reduction strategies as well as supply and demand side measures. Internet based CBT therapies hold promise for management of cyberchondria. This finding must be considered preliminary due to limited evidence. Further study is required to establish the diagnostic validity of cyberchondria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vikas Menon
- Dept of Psychiatry, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry, 605006, India.
| | - Sujita Kumar Kar
- Dept of Psychiatry, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, 226003, India
| | - Adarsh Tripathi
- Dept of Psychiatry, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, 226003, India
| | - Naresh Nebhinani
- Dept of Psychiatry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, 342005, India
| | - Natarajan Varadharajan
- Dept of Psychiatry, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry, 605006, India
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Durak Batıgün A, Şenkal Ertürk İ, Gör N, Kömürcü Akik B. The pathways from distress tolerance to Cyberchondria: A multiple-group path model of young and middle adulthood samples. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2020; 40:5718-5726. [PMID: 32921966 PMCID: PMC7474328 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-020-01038-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The use of the Internet for medical information elicited a recent term called “cyberchondria”. This study aimed to scrutinize the mediating effects of health anxiety (HA), anxiety symptoms (AS), and Internet addiction (IA) in the pathway from distress tolerance (DT) to cyberchondria by using a bootstrapping method. In order to examine the role of age in the proposed model, multiple-group path analysis was used to evaluate differences between young and middle adulthood groups. The final sample consisted of both young adult (n = 209) and middle adult (n = 221) Internet users located in Ankara, Turkey. The results of path analyses for both age groups showed that DT is negatively associated with AS and HA; AS and HA are positively associated with IA; IA and HA are positively associated with cyberchondria. Mediation analysis for both age groups demonstrated that AS and HA significantly mediated the relationship between DT and IA; IA significantly mediated the relationships of AS and HA with cyberchondria; HA significantly mediated the relationship between DT and cyberchondria. The results of the multiple-group path analysis showed that the relationship between IA and cyberchondria is significantly stronger in middle adulthood than young adulthood. The results of the current study are consistent with the relevant literature and provide crucial contribution especially by focusing on the role of age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayşegül Durak Batıgün
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Languages History and Geography, Ankara University, PC: 06100 – Sıhhiye, Ankara, Turkey
| | - İpek Şenkal Ertürk
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Languages History and Geography, Ankara University, PC: 06100 – Sıhhiye, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Nağme Gör
- Department of Psychology, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Istanbul Medipol University, Kavacık South Campus, Göztepe Mahallesi Atatürk Caddesi No 40/16 PC: 34815 Beykoz, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Burcu Kömürcü Akik
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Languages History and Geography, Ankara University, PC: 06100 – Sıhhiye, Ankara, Turkey
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Wangler J, Jansky M. General practitioners' challenges and strategies in dealing with Internet-related health anxieties-results of a qualitative study among primary care physicians in Germany. Wien Med Wochenschr 2020; 170:329-339. [PMID: 32767159 PMCID: PMC7518985 DOI: 10.1007/s10354-020-00777-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Time and again, it is discussed that in medical practices, the number of patients who develop health anxieties due to extensive health information searches on the Internet is increasing. The objective of this study is to explore and describe general practitioners’ experiences and attitudes towards cyberchondria patients as well as strategies to stabilize affected patients. Following a qualitative approach, oral personal semi-standardized interviews with general practitioners (N = 38) in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, were conducted in 2019. In the course of a content analysis, one can see that most interviewees see the emergence of Internet-related health anxieties as an increasing problem in everyday care. Affected patients not only show marked levels of doubt and nervousness as well as hypersensitivity to their own state of health, but also low confidence in the physician. In addition to compliance-related difficulties, the high need for advice and the demand for further diagnostics are regarded as major problems. Various approaches were identified by which general practitioners respond to unsettled patients (more consultation time, recommendation of reputable websites, information double-checking, expanded history questionnaire, additional psychosocial training).
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Wangler
- Centre for General and Geriatric Medicine, University Medical Centre Mainz, Am Pulverturm 13, 55131, Mainz, Germany.
| | - Michael Jansky
- Centre for General and Geriatric Medicine, University Medical Centre Mainz, Am Pulverturm 13, 55131, Mainz, Germany
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Makarla S, Gopichandran V, Tondare D. Prevalence and correlates of cyberchondria among professionals working in the information technology sector in Chennai, India: A cross-sectional study. J Postgrad Med 2020; 65:87-92. [PMID: 31036778 PMCID: PMC6515785 DOI: 10.4103/jpgm.jpgm_293_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cyberchondria is the excessive searching of online health information that leads to anxiety and distress. There is scarce information about its prevalence in low and middle-income country settings. Objectives The objective of the study was to assess the prevalence and factors influencing cyberchondria among employees working in the information technology sector in India. Methods An emailed questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among 205 employees working in various information technology firms in and around Chennai. The data were analyzed using nonhierarchical k-means cluster analysis to group participants with and without cyberchondria on its four subdomains. The association of cyberchondria with general mental health as measured by the General Health Questionnaire 12 was studied using independent sample t-test. Logistic regression analysis was performed to study the association between general mental health and cyberchondria after adjusting for sociodemographic covariates. Results The prevalence of cyberchondria was 55.6%. The dominant pattern was excessiveness of online searching, requirement of reassurance followed by distress due to health anxiety, and compulsivity. Cyberchondria was negatively associated with general mental health (adj. OR 0.923; 95% CI 0.882-0.967) after adjusting for age, sex, education, and years of service. Conclusions Cyberchondria is an emerging public mental health problem in India. Since it is associated with poor mental health, measures need to be adopted to evaluate, prevent, and treat it at the population level.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Makarla
- Department of Community Medicine, ESIC Medical College and PGIMSR, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - V Gopichandran
- Department of Community Medicine, ESIC Medical College and PGIMSR, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - D Tondare
- Department of Community Medicine, ESIC Medical College and PGIMSR, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
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