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Fang J, Qiu C, Sun Z, Zhou J, He P, Conti A, Lu Y, Huang X, Xu J, Tang W. A national survey of pandemic fear and cyberchondria after ending zero-COVID policy: The chain mediating role of alexithymia and psychological distress. Compr Psychiatry 2024; 133:152505. [PMID: 38852302 DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2024.152505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND More than half the domestic population in China were infected with COVID-19 in two months after ending "zero-infection policy", which severely overwhelmed frontline healthcare providers with stress and fear. However, there is no study to date investigating the associations between nurses' fear of pandemic and cyberchondria. This study aimed to 1) investigate the correlations between fear pandemic and cyberchondria among frontline nurses, and 2) discover its potential mechanism. METHODS A cross-sectional sample of frontline nurses (N = 8161) was recruited from 98 hospitals across China in February 2023. Participants were invited to complete an online, self-rated standardized questionnaire focused on pandemic fear, alexithymia, psychological distress, and cyberchondria. Environmental, clinical and socioeconomic information were collected for adjustment while conducting chain mediation analysis. RESULTS When other covariates were controlled, it was found that fear of the pandemic significantly contributed to cyberchondria (b = 0.58, 95%CI [0.56, 0.60], p < .001). The chain mediation model suggested that both alexithymia and psychological distress were mediating factors between pandemic fear and cyberchondria. CONCLUSIONS The higher the perceived fear, the greater the cyberchondria, which suggests that reducing fear about the pandemic and providing adequate support could reduce the incidence of cyberchondria. As alexithymia and psychological distress may be transdiagnostic mechanisms between fear and cyberchondria, targeted interventions focused on expression dysregulation and emotional identification could be useful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinbo Fang
- Department of Nursing, West China Hospital, Sichuan University/West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Changjian Qiu
- Mental health Centre, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zeyuan Sun
- Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Jing Zhou
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Leshan People's Hospital, Leshan, China
| | - Ping He
- Department of Nursing, Jianyang People's Hospital, Jiangyang, China
| | - Aldo Conti
- Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Yi Lu
- School of Disaster Reconstruction and Disaster Management, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; School of Business Administration, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xia Huang
- Mental health Centre, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiuping Xu
- School of Business Administration, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Wanjie Tang
- West China of Public Health School, West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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2
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Bahadir O, Dundar C. The impact of online health information source preference on intolerance to uncertainty and cyberchondria in a youthful generation. Indian J Psychiatry 2024; 66:360-366. [PMID: 38778859 PMCID: PMC11107926 DOI: 10.4103/indianjpsychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_715_23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The increasing utilization of the Internet to access health-related information is believed to heighten anxiety and trigger cyberchondria due to the presence of conflicting and sometimes overly detailed information. Aim To investigate the levels of cyberchondria and intolerance of uncertainty among university students and their relationship with different online health information sources. Methods Between June and July 2022, 420 university students (mean age = 21.5 ± 2 years, 54% female) participated in this cross-sectional study. The socio-demographic form, Uncertainty Intolerance Scale (IUS), and Cyberchondria Severity Scale (CSS) were used in data collection. Pearson correlation test and binary logistic regression analysis were used to identify factors associated with cyberchondria. Results Forums and private hospital/clinic websites were the most frequently utilized online health information sources, while governmental websites were the least. The mean scores for CSS and IUS were 81.5 and 41.0, respectively. There was no significant gender-based difference in CSS and IUS scores. Students who used newspapers/magazines and social media for health information had significantly higher scores on both scales. Cyberchondria had a negative association with age [odds ratio (OR) = 0.90], a positive significant relationship with newspaper/magazine website use (OR = 7.24), and IUS score (OR = 1.09). There was a positive and moderate correlation between CSS and IUS scores (r = 0.39, P < 0.001). Conclusions Our results underline the susceptibility to cyberchondria and intolerance of uncertainty among young adults who used less reliable online health information sources and highlight promoting online health literacy to reduce vulnerabilities and the need for further research on socio-demographic determinants in both mental problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozkan Bahadir
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, Türkiye
| | - Cihad Dundar
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, Türkiye
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3
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Jungmann SM, Gropalis M, Schenkel SK, Witthöft M. Is cyberchondria specific to hypochondriasis? J Anxiety Disord 2024; 102:102798. [PMID: 38128287 DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2023.102798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Cyberchondria (i.e., excessive health-related Internet search linked to psychological distress) is usually associated with health anxiety, but relationships with other psychopathological symptoms were also found. However, studies are lacking in patients with hypochondriasis, and it remains unclear whether cyberchondria and its subfacets are specific to hypochondriasis (i.e., higher levels in hypochondriasis compared to other mental disorders). Patients with hypochondriasis (N = 50), a clinical (N = 70), and a healthy comparison group (N = 51) completed two questionnaires on cyberchondria whose combined 17 subscales were reduced to three relevant cyberchondria subfacets by second-order factor analysis. The cyberchondria subfacet emotional distress/negative consequences linked to health-related Internet searches showed significantly higher scores in patients with hypochondriasis than in the two comparison groups (d ≥ 1.7) and was the only predictor of dimensional health anxiety (β = .58, p ≤ .001). The two subfacets type/extent of health-related Internet searches and characteristics of the Internet (e.g., attitude toward unreliability, vast amounts of information) were less specifically associated with hypochondriasis. The results are consistent with models of cyberchondria and hypochondriasis, particularly on the anxiety-reinforcing vicious circle and maintaining factors. Based on the findings, practical implications are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie M Jungmann
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy, and Experimental Psychopathology, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
| | - Maria Gropalis
- Mental Health Services of Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Sandra K Schenkel
- 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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4
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Wetzel AJ, Klemmt M, Müller R, Rieger MA, Joos S, Koch R. Only the anxious ones? Identifying characteristics of symptom checker app users: a cross-sectional survey. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak 2024; 24:21. [PMID: 38262993 PMCID: PMC10804572 DOI: 10.1186/s12911-024-02430-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Symptom checker applications (SCAs) may help laypeople classify their symptoms and receive recommendations on medically appropriate actions. Further research is necessary to estimate the influence of user characteristics, attitudes and (e)health-related competencies. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to identify meaningful predictors for SCA use considering user characteristics. METHODS An explorative cross-sectional survey was conducted to investigate German citizens' demographics, eHealth literacy, hypochondria, self-efficacy, and affinity for technology using German language-validated questionnaires. A total of 869 participants were eligible for inclusion in the study. As n = 67 SCA users were assessed and matched 1:1 with non-users, a sample of n = 134 participants were assessed in the main analysis. A four-step analysis was conducted involving explorative predictor selection, model comparisons, and parameter estimates for selected predictors, including sensitivity and post hoc analyses. RESULTS Hypochondria and self-efficacy were identified as meaningful predictors of SCA use. Hypochondria showed a consistent and significant effect across all analyses OR: 1.24-1.26 (95% CI: 1.1-1.4). Self-efficacy OR: 0.64-0.93 (95% CI: 0.3-1.4) showed inconsistent and nonsignificant results, leaving its role in SCA use unclear. Over half of the SCA users in our sample met the classification for hypochondria (cut-off on the WI of 5). CONCLUSIONS Hypochondria has emerged as a significant predictor of SCA use with a consistently stable effect, yet according to the literature, individuals with this trait may be less likely to benefit from SCA despite their greater likelihood of using it. These users could be further unsettled by risk-averse triage and unlikely but serious diagnosis suggestions. TRIAL REGISTRATION The study was registered in the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS) DRKS00022465, DERR1- https://doi.org/10.2196/34026 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Jasmin Wetzel
- Institute for General Practice and Interprofessional Care, University Hospital Tübingen, Osianderstr 5, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Malte Klemmt
- Institute of Applied Social Sciences, Technical University of Applied Sciences, Würzburg-Schweinfurt, Tiepolostraße 6, 97070, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Regina Müller
- Institute for Philosophy, University of Bremen, Enrique-Schmidt-Str 7, 28359, Bremen, Germany
| | - Monika A Rieger
- Institute of Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Health Services Research, University Hospital Tübingen, Wilhelmstr 27, 72074, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Stefanie Joos
- Institute for General Practice and Interprofessional Care, University Hospital Tübingen, Osianderstr 5, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Roland Koch
- Institute for General Practice and Interprofessional Care, University Hospital Tübingen, Osianderstr 5, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
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5
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Pergolizzi J, LeQuang JAK, Vasiliu-Feltes I, Breve F, Varrassi G. Brave New Healthcare: A Narrative Review of Digital Healthcare in American Medicine. Cureus 2023; 15:e46489. [PMID: 37927734 PMCID: PMC10623488 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.46489] [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: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The digital revolution has had a profound effect on American and global healthcare, which was accelerated by the pandemic and telehealth applications. Digital health also includes popular and more esoteric forms of wearable monitoring systems and interscatter and other wireless technologies that facilitate their telemetry. The rise in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) may serve to improve interpretation from imaging technologies to electrocardiography or electroencephalographic tracings, and new ML techniques may allow these systems to scan data to discern and contextualize patterns that may have evaded human physicians. The necessity of virtual care during the pandemic has morphed into new treatment paradigms, which have gained patient acceptance but still raise issues with respect to privacy laws and credentialing. Augmented and virtual reality tools can facilitate surgical planning and "hands-on" clinical training activities. Patients are working with new frontiers in digital health in the form of "Dr. Google" and patient support websites to learn or share medical information. Patient-facing digital health information is both a blessing and curse, in that it can be a boon to health-literate patients who seek to be more active in their own care. On the other hand, digital health information can lead to false conclusions, catastrophizing, misunderstandings, and "cyberchondria." The role of blockchain, familiar from cryptocurrency, may play a role in future healthcare information and would serve as a disruptive, decentralizing, and potentially beneficial change. These important changes are both exciting and perplexing as clinicians and their patients learn to navigate this new system and how we address the questions it raises, such as medical privacy in a digital age. The goal of this review is to explore the vast range of digital health and how it may impact the healthcare system.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Frank Breve
- Department of Pharmacy, Temple University, Philadelphia, USA
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Aydın Kartal Y, Kaya L, Özcan H. Investigation of the relationship between depression, cyberchondria levels and the quality of life of female students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Women Health 2023; 63:669-680. [PMID: 37667644 DOI: 10.1080/03630242.2023.2255312] [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: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to explore the correlation between cyberchondria levels, depression risk, and the quality of life among female students amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The research was conducted with 534 female students enrolled in a public university. Participants were asked to complete a Personal Information Form, Cyberchondria Severity Scale (CSS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and "Short Form-36 (SF-36)" questionnaire. The findings from the multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the level of cyberchondria increased the depression risk by 0.06 times among students. Additionally, nonsmokers were found to have a depression risk that was 4.06 times lower than smokers. A negative and weak correlation was observed between the total score of the CSS and the SF-36 survey. Based on the study's results, it can be concluded that the participants exhibited a moderate level of cyberchondria. Moreover, the study revealed a decreased quality of life and an increased risk of depression in participants as their level of cyberchondria increased. In order to mitigate the adverse impact of current and future health crises, it is imperative to prioritize organizing educational programs aimed at enhancing the e-health literacy level among female students, along with interventions to manage cyberchondria behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasemin Aydın Kartal
- Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Leyla Kaya
- Zeynep Kamil Women and Children's Diseases Training and Research Hospital, Gynecology Clinic, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Handan Özcan
- Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey
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7
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Starcevic V, Eslick GD, Viswasam K, Billieux J, Gainsbury SM, King DL, Berle D. Problematic online behaviors and psychopathology in Australia. Psychiatry Res 2023; 327:115405. [PMID: 37557057 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to ascertain frequency rates and predictors of six problematic online behaviors (POBs) in an Australian sample. Participants (N = 1626) completed instruments measuring problematic online gaming, cyberchondria, problematic cybersex, problematic online shopping, problematic use of social networking sites, problematic online gambling, anxiety, depression and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Each POB was presumed to be present based on the cut-off score on the corresponding instrument and at least one indicator of interference with functioning. Generalized linear model analyses were used to determine socio-demographic and psychopathological predictors of each POB. The most common POB was problematic online shopping (12.2%), followed by problematic online gambling (11.4%), problematic use of social networking sites (6.0%), problematic cybersex (5.3%), problematic online gaming (5.2%) and cyberchondria (4.6%). Age group 27-36 had the highest rates of POBs. The intensity of ADHD symptoms predicted all POBs, whereas younger age predicted all POBs except for problematic cybersex and online gambling. Female gender predicted lower scores on the measures of problematic online gaming and cybersex. These findings have implications for age- and gender-adapted education, prevention and treatment efforts and suggest that specific POBs should be investigated separately instead of lumping them together under the umbrella terms such as "Internet addiction".
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladan Starcevic
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney Medical School, Nepean Clinical School, Specialty of Psychiatry, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Nepean Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, PO Box 63, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia.
| | - Guy D Eslick
- NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence in Digestive Health, Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Kirupamani Viswasam
- Nepean Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, PO Box 63, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
| | - Joël Billieux
- Institute of Psychology, University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland; Centre for Excessive Gambling, Addiction Medicine, Lausanne University Hospitals (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sally M Gainsbury
- Faculty of Science, School of Psychology, Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Daniel L King
- College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - David Berle
- School of Medicine and Psychology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia; Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, NSW, Australia
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8
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Duradoni M, Gursesli MC, Fiorenza M, Guazzini A. The Relationship between Orthorexia Nervosa and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Eur J Investig Health Psychol Educ 2023; 13:861-869. [PMID: 37232703 DOI: 10.3390/ejihpe13050065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Orthorexia nervosa (ON) is characterized by an intense avoidance of foods considered unhealthy, obsession with healthy eating behaviors, and pathological fixation on healthy foods. Although there are still debates in the literature about the psychological factors and symptoms of ON, it should be noted that many of the symptoms share common features with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between ON and OCD with its subtypes. In this framework, the cross-sectional study was conducted with an opportunistic sample of 587 participants (86% women and 14% men), with an average age of 29.32 (s.d. = 11.29; age range = 15-74). Our work showed that almost all OCD subtypes were largely correlated with ON. The lowest correlation was for "Checking" and the highest for "Obsession". Overall, the OCD subtypes (i.e., Indecisiveness, Just Right, Obsession, and Hoarding) were more strongly associated with ON measures, while subtypes Checking and Contamination, although positively associated, had lower correlation coefficients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirko Duradoni
- Department of Education, Literatures, Intercultural Studies, Languages and Psychology, University of Florence, 50135 Firenze, Italy
| | - Mustafa Can Gursesli
- Department of Education, Literatures, Intercultural Studies, Languages and Psychology, University of Florence, 50135 Firenze, Italy
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Florence, 50139 Firenze, Italy
| | - Maria Fiorenza
- Department of Education, Literatures, Intercultural Studies, Languages and Psychology, University of Florence, 50135 Firenze, Italy
| | - Andrea Guazzini
- Department of Education, Literatures, Intercultural Studies, Languages and Psychology, University of Florence, 50135 Firenze, Italy
- Centre for the Study of Complex Dynamics, University of Florence, 50135 Firenze, Italy
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Vujić A, Volarov M, Latas M, Demetrovics Z, Kiraly O, Szabo A. Are Cyberchondria and Intolerance of Uncertainty Related to Smartphone Addiction? Int J Ment Health Addict 2023:1-19. [PMID: 37363761 PMCID: PMC10155650 DOI: 10.1007/s11469-023-01054-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Smartphones are a medium for performing online activities, and one such activity could be the compulsive online health information search - cyberchondria. This study aimed to test whether cyberchondria and intolerance of uncertainty (IU) positively predict smartphone addiction (SA), adjusted for age, gender, daily use duration, the reason for using smartphones, and symptoms of anxiety and depression. The sample consisted of 471 adults (55.2% women) from the general population without chronic diseases (Mage = 38.67). Regression analysis showed that IU was a positive predictor of SA (β = .17, p < .001), as well as cyberchondria (β = .14, p < .001), which had a unique contribution to the explanation of SA, relative to IU. Other significant predictors were average daily smartphone use and entertainment use, the latter being the strongest predictor in the model. These results revealed cyberchondria as a unique predictor of SA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandar Vujić
- Doctoral School of Psychology, Faculty of Education and Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Marija Volarov
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Sport and Psychology, Educons University, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Milan Latas
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Zsolt Demetrovics
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- Centre of Excellence in Responsible Gaming, University of Gibraltar, Gibraltar, Gibraltar
| | - Orsolya Kiraly
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Attila Szabo
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- Institute of Health Promotion and Sport Sciences, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
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10
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Infanti A, Starcevic V, Schimmenti A, Khazaal Y, Karila L, Giardina A, Flayelle M, Hedayatzadeh Razavi SB, Baggio S, Vögele C, Billieux J. Predictors of Cyberchondria during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study using supervised machine learning. JMIR Form Res 2023; 7:e42206. [PMID: 36947575 PMCID: PMC10170364 DOI: 10.2196/42206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cyberchondria is characterized by repeated and compulsive online searches for health information, resulting in increased health anxiety and distress. It has been conceptualized as a multi-dimensional construct fueled by both anxiety and compulsivity-related factors and described as a "transdiagnostic compulsive behavioral syndrome" which is associated with health anxiety, problematic internet use and obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Cyberchondria is not included in the ICD-11 or the DSM-5, and its defining features, etiological mechanisms and assessment continue to be debated. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate changes in the severity of cyberchondria during the pandemic and identify predictors of cyberchondria at this time. METHODS Data collection started on May 4, 2020 and ended on June 10, 2020, which corresponds to the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe. At the time the present study took place, French-speaking countries in Europe (France, Switzerland, Belgium and Luxembourg) all implemented lockdown or semi-lockdown measures. The survey consisted of a questionnaire collecting demographic information (sex, age, education level and country of residence) and information on socioeconomic circumstances during the first lockdown (e.g., economic situation, housing and employment status), and was followed by several instruments assessing various psychological and health-related constructs. Inclusion criteria for the study were being at least 18 years of age and having a good understanding of French. Self-report data were collected from 725 participants aged 18 to 77 years (mean 33.29, SD 12.88 years), with females constituting the majority (416/725, 57.4%). RESULTS The results show that the COVID-19 pandemic affected various facets of cyberchondria: cyberchondria-related distress and interference with functioning increased (distress z=-3.651, P<.001; compulsion z=-5.697, P<.001), whereas the reassurance facet of cyberchondria decreased (z=-6.680, P<.001). Also, COVID-19-related fears and health anxiety emerged as the strongest predictors of cyberchondria-related distress and interference with functioning during the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide evidence about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cyberchondria and identify factors that should be considered in efforts to prevent and manage cyberchondria at times of public health crises. Also, they are consistent with the theoretical model of cyberchondria during the COVID-19 pandemic proposed by Starcevic and his colleagues in 2020. In addition, the findings have implications for the conceptualization and future assessment of cyberchondria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Infanti
- Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences, University of Luxembourg, Maison des Sciences Humaines 11,Porte des Sciences, Esch-sur-Alzette, LU
| | - Vladan Starcevic
- Department of Psychiatry, Nepean Hospital, Penrith, AU
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney Medical School, Nepean Clinical School, Discipline of Psychiatry, University of Sydney, Sydney, AU
| | | | - Yasser Khazaal
- Addiction Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Lausanne University Hospital and Lausanne University, Lausanne, CH
- Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, University of Montreal, Montreal, CA
| | - Laurent Karila
- Centre d'Enseignement, de Recherche et de Traitement des Addictions, Hôpital Universitaire Paul Brousse (AP-HP), Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, FR
| | | | - Maèva Flayelle
- Institute of Psychology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, CH
| | | | - Stéphanie Baggio
- Division of Prison Health, Geneva University Hospitals and University of Geneva, Thônex, CH
- Institute of Primary Health Care (BIHAM), University of Bern, Bern, CH
| | - Claus Vögele
- Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences, University of Luxembourg, Maison des Sciences Humaines 11,Porte des Sciences, Esch-sur-Alzette, LU
| | - Joël Billieux
- Institute of Psychology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, CH
- Center for Excessive Gambling, Addiction Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Lausanne, CH
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11
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Özkent MS, Kılınç MT, Hamarat MB, Yılmaz B, Göger YE, Özkent Y, Pişkin MM. Digitalization and Urological Diseases: Severity of Cyberchondria and Level of Health Anxiety in Patients Visiting Outpatient Urology Clinics. CYBERPSYCHOLOGY, BEHAVIOR AND SOCIAL NETWORKING 2023; 26:28-34. [PMID: 36454182 DOI: 10.1089/cyber.2022.0089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the cyberchondria levels of patients who applied to the urology outpatient clinic. The second goal of this study was to evaluate the relationship between cyberchondria severity and health anxiety in these patients. The present prospective observational study was conducted at the urology outpatient clinic of two tertiary centers in our city between September and December 2021. Eligible patients were the adult patients (>18 and ≤60 years) who used the Internet for health purposes and had no self-reported psychological or mental disease. The patients were divided into following groups according to their complaints: general urology, uro-oncology, andrology, functional urology, and endourology (stone disease). The level of cyberchondria and health anxiety was evaluated for these patients by using the Short Health Anxiety Inventory (SHAI) and a short-form version of the Cyberchondria Severity Scale (CSS-12). This study enrolled 578 patients (190 female, 388 male). The mean age of patients was 43.4 ± 13.3 years (18-60 years). The mean CSS-12 was 28.1 ± 12.1, and the mean value of SHAI was 18.9 ± 13.6. The patients had andrological symptoms, is uniquely related to higher CSS and health anxiety, and followed by uro-oncological diseases. However, the least relationship was observed in patients with functional urological diseases (analysis of variance [ANOVA], p < 0.001 for CSS-12; p < 0.001 for SHAI). In addition, a positive correlation was observed between the CSS and SHAI (Pearson's correlation = 0.782). The increased level of cyberchondria causes increased health anxiety and an increased disease burden in these patients. Therefore, physicians should consider this increased treatment burden during the treatment of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Burak Yılmaz
- Department of Urology, Konya City Hospital, Konya, Turkey
| | - Yunus Emre Göger
- Department of Urology, School of Meram Medicine, Necmettin Erbakan University, Konya, Turkey
| | - Yasemin Özkent
- Faculty of Communication, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Mesut Pişkin
- Department of Urology, School of Meram Medicine, Necmettin Erbakan University, Konya, Turkey
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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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The Doctor Is In(ternet): The Mediating Role of Health Anxiety in the Relationship between Somatic Symptoms and Cyberchondria. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12091490. [PMID: 36143275 PMCID: PMC9504509 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12091490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyberchondria is a dysfunctional behavioral pattern characterized by an excessive and anxiety-amplifying engagement in searching for reassuring health information on the Internet. Research demonstrated that somatic symptoms and health anxiety might foster maladaptive health-related behaviors, such as cyberchondria. However, the relationships between somatic symptoms, health anxiety, and cyberchondria have been scarcely examined. Accordingly, this study aimed to test the mediating effect of health anxiety on the association between somatic symptoms and cyberchondria. Four hundred and thirty-one adults from the community (158 males, 36.66%), aged between 18 and 74, were recruited via an online survey. Participants completed self-report measures of somatic symptoms, health anxiety, and cyberchondria. A mediation analysis demonstrated that the severity of somatic symptoms predicted increased levels of cyberchondria and that health anxiety partially mediated this association. Therefore, interventions aimed at decreasing health anxiety may also play a role in decreasing the risk of developing cyberchondria.
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Bertrams A. From autistic pragmatic language problems to a negative attitude toward human nature-a serial multiple mediation model. J Psychiatr Res 2022; 152:139-143. [PMID: 35724495 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.06.022] [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: 11/14/2021] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
It has recently been found that individuals high in autistic traits tend to believe that they are usually not treated fairly. In the present study, it is assumed that such a lowered personal belief in a just world is based on cumulative humiliation experiences that stem from autistic pragmatic language problems (e.g., communicating in a monotonous voice, not being "in tune" with others during conversations). Furthermore, the less individuals believe that they receive fair treatment, the more they may develop a negative attitude toward human nature (i.e., believing that humans are generally untrustworthy, unfair, and unhelpful). The serial multiple mediation model reflecting these assumptions received initial empirical support in a nonclinical sample (N = 344). Implications for professional health care are addressed.
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The Spanish version of the short form of the Cyberchondria Severity Scale (CSS-12): Testing the factor structure and measurement invariance across genders. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-022-03170-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
AbstractCyberchondria refers to excessive and repeated online health-related searching, which is associated with increased distress and anxiety. The Cyberchondria Severity Scale (CSS) is the most widely used measure for assessment of cyberchondria, and its shortened version (CSS-12) has recently been developed. The aim of the present study was to develop the Spanish version of the CSS-12 and test its psychometric properties. A community sample of 432 Spanish-speaking adults (67.6% women; mean age = 36.00 ± 15.22 years) completed the Spanish translation of CSS-12 along with measures of health anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, anxiety and depressive symptoms. The Spanish version of the CSS-12 comprises a general cyberchondria factor and four specific factors (‘excessiveness’, ‘compulsion’, ‘distress’, and ‘reassurance’). Multi-group confirmatory factor analysis indicated measurement invariance across gender groups. Internal consistency values for the total score and subscales were good to excellent. The CSS-12 showed strong correlations with health anxiety, and moderate to low correlations with anxiety, obsessive-compulsive and depressive symptoms, supporting the convergent and divergent validity of the CSS-12, respectively. In conclusion, these results show that the CSS-12 is a valid and reliable tool for measuring cyberchondria in both genders in the general Spanish population.
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Ambrosini F, Truzoli R, Vismara M, Vitella D, Biolcati R. The effect of cyberchondria on anxiety, depression and quality of life during COVID-19: the mediational role of obsessive-compulsive symptoms and Internet addiction. Heliyon 2022; 8:e09437. [PMID: 35600442 PMCID: PMC9107336 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the global pandemic of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), online health information-seeking behaviors have notably increased. Cyberchondria can be a vulnerability factor for the worsening of anxiety-depressive symptoms and quality of life. The current study aims to understand the predictive effect of cyberchondria on health anxiety, anxiety, depression and quality of life considering the mediating effect of obsessive-compulsive symptoms and Internet addiction and the moderating effect of COVID anxiety. 572 Italian participants (66% female; Mean age = 34; SD = 15) took part in a cross-sectional online survey involving CSS-12, MOCQ-R, IAT, SHAI, HADS, WHOQoL-BREF and CAS. Mediation and moderation analyses were conducted. Obsessive-compulsive symptoms and Internet addiction were found to partially mediate the cyberchondria-health anxiety and the cyberchondria-anxiety links and to totally mediate the cyberchondria-depression and the cyberchondria-quality of life links. COVID anxiety was found to moderate the relationship between cyberchondria and anxiety. The findings suggest that compulsivity may have a key role in the explanation of the underlying mechanisms of cyberchondria. Healthcare practitioners should provide additional support for individuals with cyberchondria. As such, cyberchondria is a contributing factor to the exacerbation of anxiety-depressive disorders and may impact on the quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Ambrosini
- Department of Education Studies “Giovanni Maria Bertin”, University of Bologna, Italy
| | - Roberto Truzoli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Clinics Luigi Sacco, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Vismara
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Clinics Luigi Sacco, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan, Italy
- Aldo Ravelli Center for Neurotechnology and Brain Therapeutics, University of Milan, Italy
| | | | - Roberta Biolcati
- Department of Education Studies “Giovanni Maria Bertin”, University of Bologna, Italy
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Cyberchondria, Fear of COVID-19, and Risk Perception Mediate the Association between Problematic Social Media Use and Intention to Get a COVID-19 Vaccine. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10010122. [PMID: 35062783 PMCID: PMC8779372 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10010122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccination is the most effective way to control the COVID-19 pandemic, but vaccination hesitancy threatens this effort worldwide. Consequently, there is a need to understand what influences individuals’ intention to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Restriction of information gathering on societal developments to social media may influence attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination through exposure to disinformation and imbalanced arguments. The present study examined the association between problematic social media use and intention to get the COVID-19 vaccine, taking into account the mediating roles of cyberchondria, fear of COVID-19, and COVID-19 risk perception. In a cross-sectional survey study, a total of 10,843 residents of Qazvin City, Iran completed measures on problematic social media use, fear of COVID-19, cyberchondria, COVID-19 risk perception, and intention to get a COVID-19 vaccine. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). The results showed that there was no direct association between problematic social media use and intention to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Nonetheless, cyberchondria, fear of COVID-19, and COVID-19 risk perception (each or serially) mediated associations between problematic social media use and intention to get a COVID-19 vaccine. These results add to the understanding of the role of problematic social media use in COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, i.e., it is not the quantity of social media use per se that matters. This knowledge of the mediating roles of cyberchondria, fear of COVID-19, and COVID-19 risk perception can be used by public health experts and policymakers when planning educational interventions and other initiatives in COVID-19 vaccination programs.
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Tiwari S, Srivastava S, Negi M. Prevalence and predictors of cyberchondria and depression amid COVID-19 pandemic in adult population of Uttar Pradesh, India. ARCHIVES OF MEDICINE AND HEALTH SCIENCES 2022. [DOI: 10.4103/amhs.amhs_95_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
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Zolotareva A. Cyberchondria, but not preventive behavior, mediates the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and somatic burden: Evidence from Russia. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:1018659. [PMID: 36226097 PMCID: PMC9549408 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1018659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is extensive available research on the relationship between fear of COVID-19 pandemic and physical symptoms. This study was the first to examine the cyberchondria and COVID-19 preventive behavior as mediators of this relationship. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted from October to December 2021, during the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Russia. The participants were 2,011 Russian-speaking volunteers aged 18 years and older. They completed questionnaires on somatic burden, cyberchondria, COVID-19 preventive behavior, and fear of COVID-19 pandemic. Mediation analysis was used to explore the mediating roles of cyberchondria and preventive behavior in the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and somatic burden. RESULTS Fear of COVID-19 positively predicted somatic burden, cyberchondria, and COVID-19 preventive behavior. Mediation analysis showed that the relationship between fear of COVID-19 pandemic and somatic burden was mediated by cyberchondria (effect = 0.08, bootstrapping SE = 0.01, bootstrapping 95% CI [0.08, 0.12]), but not COVID-19 preventive behavior (effect = 0.02, bootstrapping SE = 0.01, bootstrapping 95% CI [0.00, 0.05]). CONCLUSION The findings suggest that cyberchondria had negative effects on somatic burden during the COVID-19 pandemic. The knowledge of the mediating role of cyberchondria may be used by health care workers when consulting persons with physical health complaints and psychosomatic disorders.
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