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Fang S, Mushtaque I. The Moderating Role of Health Literacy and Health Promoting Behavior in the Relationship Among Health Anxiety, Emotional Regulation, and Cyberchondria. Psychol Res Behav Manag 2024; 17:51-62. [PMID: 38196775 PMCID: PMC10775698 DOI: 10.2147/prbm.s446448] [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: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Background People are increasingly turning to the internet to find answers to their health concerns in an era where there is a wealth of online health information, which frequently causes increased health anxiety and the phenomenon known as cyberchondria. The objectives of this study were to examine the moderating role of health literacy and health promotion behavior and the mediating role of emotional regulation between health anxiety and cyberchondria among the Pakistani population. Methods The study used a self-administered questionnaire to collect and examine health anxiety, emotional regulation, health literacy, health promotion behavior, and cyberchondria in 755 residents. A moderated mediation model of Hayes PROCESS was used to examine this hypothesis. Results The findings unveiled the average score of the participants on the study variables, as well as their categorization into low, moderate, and high categories. On scale of Health Anxiety participant scores (32% vs 53% vs 15%), Emotional Regulation (25% vs 46% vs 29%), Cyberchondria (18% vs 41% vs 41%), Health Literacy (56% vs 29% vs 15%), and Health promotion Behavior (49% vs 28% vs 23%). Moreover, result revealed that emotional regulation mediates the significant positive association between health anxiety and cyberchondria (β=0.25**p<0.001). Furthermore, health literacy moderates the negative association health anxiety and emotional regulation (β=-0.42*p<0.031), and health promotion behavior also negatively moderate the relationship between emotional regulation and cyberchondria (β=-0.27*p<0.22). Conclusion Based on the findings, it is recommended that health policymakers consider comprehensive national initiatives that focus on educational planning. These initiatives should boost health literacy levels and promote health-related behavior. Additionally, there is urgent need for strict measures to be put in place for monitoring online platforms and websites that spread inaccurate or false health-related information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuanghu Fang
- School of Educational Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, People’s Republic of China
| | - Iqra Mushtaque
- Department of Psychology, University of Layyah, Layyah, Pakistan
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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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Mavragani A, Miyatani Y, Arita E, Chen P, Ito Y, Kayama H, Reiter J, Kobayashi K, Kobayashi T. Reducing Health Anxiety in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease Using Video Testimonials: Pilot Assessment of a Video Intervention. JMIR Form Res 2023; 7:e39945. [PMID: 36757761 PMCID: PMC9951069 DOI: 10.2196/39945] [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: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Health anxiety has many damaging effects on patients with chronic illness. Physicians are often unable to alleviate concerns related to living with a disease that has an impact on daily life, and unregulated websites can overrepresent extreme anxiety-inducing outcomes. Educational clinician video interventions have shown some success as an acute anxiolytic in health settings. However, little research has evaluated if peer-based video interventions would be a feasible alternative or improvement. OBJECTIVE This pilot study assesses the efficacy of anxiety reduction for patients with Crohn disease (CD) and those with ulcerative colitis (UC) by showing patient testimonial videos during hospital visits. It investigates the degree to which patient testimonials can affect state anxiety, and whether patients are comfortable enough with the technology to share their stories. METHODS Patients with CD (n=51) and those with UC (n=49) were shown testimonial videos of patients with CD during their physician consultations at Kitasato University Kitasato Institute Hospital in Japan. The video testimonials were collected from Dipex Japan, the Japan branch of an international organization specializing in understanding patient experiences. Patients completed a Visual Analogue Scale for Anxiety before and after viewing the videos, a Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) survey before the videos, and satisfaction surveys. Patients receiving infusion therapy participated in the study while receiving treatment to minimize hospital workflow disruption. RESULTS Anxiety reduction, on the Visual Analog Scale for Anxiety, was significant in the entire cohort both when viewed as an ordinal variable (P=.003, t98=1086.5) and as a continuous variable (P=.01, t94=-2.54, 90% CI -3.47 to -0.72). Eighty percent (n=15) of patients with high HADS Anxiety (HADS-A) scores and 71% (n=24) of patients with high starting state anxiety experienced reduced anxiety after watching testimonials. Patients with high state anxiety but low HADS-A scores experienced anxiety reduction (69%, n=16). Forty-two percent (n=100) of patients responded that they would share their stories for future users. When patients with UC received testimonials from patients with CD, 71% (n=49) of patients reported that they were relevant despite differences in condition. CONCLUSIONS Our pilot results suggest that patient testimonial videos can reduce illness-related state anxiety for patients with CD and those with UC, especially in those with higher baseline state anxiety. The success of this study in reducing anxiety and achieving patient involvement suggests that video interventions for reducing anxiety might be a low-cost intervention that could scale to any number of hospitals, suggesting that technology can help scale up efforts to record and share patient testimonials. Future work can establish whether patient testimonials can be helpful in other contexts, such as before major surgeries or when a family member receives a difficult diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yusuke Miyatani
- Center for Advanced Inflammatory Bowel Disease Research and Treatment, Kitasato University Kitasato Institute Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Etsuko Arita
- Medical Psychology Pharmaceutical Education Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Kitasato University, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | | | | | - Jacob Reiter
- Verily Life Sciences, South San Francisco, CA, United States
| | | | - Taku Kobayashi
- Center for Advanced Inflammatory Bowel Disease Research and Treatment, Kitasato University Kitasato Institute Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
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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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Błachnio A, Przepiórka A, Kot P, Cudo A, Steuden S. The role of emotional functioning in the relationship between health anxiety and cyberchondria. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2022; 42:1-11. [PMID: 36570057 PMCID: PMC9762653 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-022-04126-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Access to health information can have positive effects in the form of increased health awareness. However, self-diagnosis based on information available on websites can be dangerous, causing distress as an increasing amount of time is spent on searching. The main aim of the study was to determine the role of emotional functioning in the relationship between health anxiety and cyberchondria. The study included N = 615 participants aged 18 to 83 years (M = 43.86, SD = 14.57). The authors used the Cyberchondria Severity Scale, the Short Health Anxiety Inventory, the Life Orientation Test, the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, and the Kessler 6 Psychological Distress Scale. The results demonstrate that health anxiety is significantly related to cyberchondria and that pessimism and difficulties in emotion regulation act as mediators in this relationship. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12144-022-04126-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata Błachnio
- Institute of Psychology, The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Al. Racławickie 14, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
| | - Aneta Przepiórka
- Institute of Psychology, The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Al. Racławickie 14, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
| | - Paweł Kot
- Institute of Psychology, The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Al. Racławickie 14, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
| | - Andrzej Cudo
- Institute of Psychology, The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Al. Racławickie 14, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
| | - Stanisława Steuden
- Institute of Psychology, The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Al. Racławickie 14, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
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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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Uysal Toraman A, Kalkim A, Korkmaz EK. Coronavirus anxiety and cyberchondria among teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic: an online survey: Coronavirus anxiety and cyberchondria. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2022:1-7. [PMID: 35874961 PMCID: PMC9287129 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-022-03382-7] [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] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to determine anxiety and cyberchondria and to investigate the links between anxiety and cyberchondria among teachers. This cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted with 250 teachers. Data were collected using demographic information form, Cyberchondria Severity Scale and Coronavirus Anxiety Scale Short Form. The mean age of the teachers was 40.40 ± 8.83 years. The anxiety mean score was 7.70 ± 3.67, cyberchondria severity mean score was 73.47 ± 20.59. There were significant positive correlations between anxiety about COVID-19 and cyberchondria(r = 0.423, p < 0.001). Researchers must determine whether there is a benefit in further solving these relationships and reducing and preventing intervention in cyberchondria and anxiety; they must focus on results which increase anxiety, and investigate the correlation between cyberchondria, anxiety and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aynur Uysal Toraman
- Department of Public Health Nursing, Ege University Faculty of Nursing, 35100 Izmir, Turkey
| | - Asli Kalkim
- Department of Public Health Nursing, Ege University Faculty of Nursing, 35100 Izmir, Turkey
| | - Ebru Konal Korkmaz
- Department of Public Health Nursing, Ege University Faculty of Nursing, 35100 Izmir, Turkey
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Vismara M, Benatti B, Ferrara L, Colombo A, Bosi M, Varinelli A, Pellegrini L, Viganò C, Fineberg NA, Dell'Osso B. A preliminary investigation of Cyberchondria and its correlates in a clinical sample of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety and depressive disorders attending a tertiary psychiatric clinic. Int J Psychiatry Clin Pract 2022; 26:111-122. [PMID: 34032529 DOI: 10.1080/13651501.2021.1927107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Objectives. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the frequency and presentation of cyberchondria (CYB) in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety disorders (ADs), and major depression disorder (MDD).Methods. Seventy-seven patients (OCD:25, ADs:26, MDD:26) referred to a tertiary psychiatry outpatient clinic and 27 healthy controls (HCs) were included. A 'working' definition of CYB was used to measure CYB frequency. CYB severity was measured with the Cyberchondria Severity Scale (CSS).Results. CYB as currently defined was present in just 1.3% of the combined patients' sample. Using a broader definition (omitting the disability criterion), we found a higher distribution (OCD:12%, ADs:19.2%, MDD:15.4%, HCs:3.7%) and greater CYB symptom severity. Patients with OCD (63.3 ± 18.9) and ADs (63.3 ± 25.9) showed a higher CYB severity, compared with HCs (48.4 ± 9.9, p<.05). In the combined patients' sample, a positive correlation was found between the CSS scores and measures of health anxiety or hypochondriasis. Higher CYB symptom severity emerged in patients with a positive family history of psychiatric disorders and in those prescribed benzodiazepines or mood-stabilisers.Conclusion. CYB represents a common transdiagnostic syndrome in patients with OCD, ADs, and MDD with a spectrum of severity and indicates a variable burden of illness, supporting the need for specific clinical considerations and interventions.Key pointsCyberchondria (CYB) represents a common transdiagnostic syndrome in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, and depressive disorders.CYB's frequency as a syndrome of compulsive online health searches associated with an increased anxiety and distress was reported in 10-20% patients.Health anxiety/hypochondriasis showed a strong correlation with CYB.Patients with a positive family history of psychiatric disorders and those prescribed benzodiazepines or mood-stabilisers showed higher CYB symptom severity.Considering the spread of Internet use for health-related information, additional studies investigating CYB in clinical samples are encouraged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Vismara
- Department of Mental Health, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Luigi Sacco, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,Aldo Ravelli Center for Neurotechnology and Brain Therapeutic, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Beatrice Benatti
- Department of Mental Health, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Luigi Sacco, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,Aldo Ravelli Center for Neurotechnology and Brain Therapeutic, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Ferrara
- Department of Mental Health, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Luigi Sacco, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Colombo
- Department of Mental Health, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Luigi Sacco, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Monica Bosi
- Department of Mental Health, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Luigi Sacco, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Alberto Varinelli
- Department of Mental Health, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Luigi Sacco, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Pellegrini
- School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK.,Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, Welwyn Garden City, UK
| | - Caterina Viganò
- Department of Mental Health, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Luigi Sacco, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Naomi A Fineberg
- School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK.,Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, Welwyn Garden City, UK.,School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Bernardo Dell'Osso
- Department of Mental Health, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Luigi Sacco, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,Aldo Ravelli Center for Neurotechnology and Brain Therapeutic, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Bipolar Disorders Clinic, Stanford University, CA, USA.,"Centro per lo studio dei meccanismi molecolari alla base delle patologie neuro-psico-geriatriche", University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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9
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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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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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Nasiri M, Mohammadkhani S, Akbari M, Alilou MM. The structural model of cyberchondria based on personality traits, health-related metacognition, cognitive bias, and emotion dysregulation. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:960055. [PMID: 36699479 PMCID: PMC9869141 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.960055] [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: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cyberchondria is excessive seeking for online health-related information related to increasing health anxiety and distress levels. The current study investigated the mediating role of health-related metacognition, cognitive bias, and emotion dysregulation in the relationship between personality traits and cyberchondria. METHODS Participants were 703 individuals 18+ years old who had access to the internet (males = 43.8%, mean age = 33.82 ± 10.09 years and females = 56.2%, mean age = 34.37 ± 11.16 years). They voluntarily completed a questionnaire package that included the Cyberchondria Severity Scale (CSS), the revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R), the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), the Meta-Cognitions about Health Questionnaire (MCQ-HA), and the Health Cognitions Questionnaire (HCQ). RESULTS The initial evaluation of the model demonstrated that the personality traits of openness to experience, agreeableness, and conscientiousness had no significant relationship with other variables in the structural model, and the effects of neuroticism and extroversion were the only significant results. Rerunning the model with the removal of non-significant variables revealed a full mediation of health-related metacognition, cognitive bias, and emotion dysregulation in the relation between personality traits (neuroticism and extraversion) and cyberchondria. Fit indices demonstrated the acceptable fit of the model with the collected data (χ2 = 979.24, p <.001; NFI = 0.92, CFI = 0.93, GFI = 0.90, IFI = 0.93, RMSEA = 0.071, and SRMR = 0.063). The results indicated that the present model could explain R 2 = 54% of cyberchondria variance. DISCUSSION These findings suggest that health-related metacognition, cognitive bias, and emotion dysregulation could demonstrate a full mediating role in the correlation between personality traits and cyberchondria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Nasiri
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Education, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shahram Mohammadkhani
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Education, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Akbari
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Education, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Majid Mahmoud Alilou
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
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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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13
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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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14
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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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15
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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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16
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Brown RJ, Skelly N, Chew-Graham CA. Online health research and health anxiety: A systematic review and conceptual integration. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/cpsp.12299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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17
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Vismara M, Caricasole V, Starcevic V, Cinosi E, Dell'Osso B, Martinotti G, Fineberg NA. Is cyberchondria a new transdiagnostic digital compulsive syndrome? A systematic review of the evidence. Compr Psychiatry 2020; 99:152167. [PMID: 32146315 DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2020.152167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cyberchondria (CYB) has been described relatively recently as a behaviour characterized by excessive online searching for medical information that is associated with increasing levels of health anxiety. Although CYB has received some attention from researchers, there is no consensus about many of its aspects. AIMS We describe one of the first reported cases of a treatment-seeking patient with CYB. We review the published literature on the definition of CYB, its assessment, epidemiology, cost and burden, psychological models and mechanisms associated with CYB, relationships between CYB and mental disorders and prevention and treatment strategies. METHODS Systematic review of all peer-reviewed papers published within the PubMed, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library databases. RESULTS 61 articles were selected. Nearly all the studies were descriptive and cross-sectional recruiting sample mainly from the general/university student population and collecting self-report data via online surveys. Data on epidemiology, clinical features, course, comorbidity and therapeutic interventions were scarce. CYB showed a self-reported association with health anxiety, hypochondriasis and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) as well as other forms of problematic usage of the internet (PUI) The psychological mechanisms associated with CYB include low self-esteem, anxiety sensitivity, intolerance of uncertainty, pain catastrophizing and certain meta-cognitive beliefs. CONCLUSION A working definition of CYB includes excessive online health searches that are compulsive and may serve the purpose of seeking reassurance, whilst leading to a worsening of anxiety or distress and further negative consequences. CYB represents a clinically relevant transdiagnostic compulsive behavioural syndrome, closely related to PUI and usually presenting in association with health anxiety, hypochondriasis and/or OCD. CYB is clearly in need of further study and we identify key areas for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Vismara
- University of Milan, Department of Mental Health, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Luigi Sacco, Milan, Italy.
| | - Valentina Caricasole
- University of Milan, Department of Mental Health, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Luigi Sacco, Milan, Italy
| | - Vladan Starcevic
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney Medical School, Nepean Clinical School, Discipline of Psychiatry, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Department of Psychiatry, Nepean Hospital, Penrith, NSW, Australia
| | - Eduardo Cinosi
- Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, Rosanne House, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, UK; University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK
| | - Bernardo Dell'Osso
- University of Milan, Department of Mental Health, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Luigi Sacco, Milan, Italy; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Bipolar Disorders Clinic, Stanford University, CA, USA; "Aldo Ravelli" Center for Neurotechnology and Brain Therapeutic, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanni Martinotti
- University G. D'Annunzio University, Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, Clinical Sciences, Chieti-Pescara, Italy
| | - Naomi A Fineberg
- Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, Rosanne House, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, UK; University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK
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18
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Pollklas M, Widemann L, Lochschmidt M, Plakhuta A, Gerlach AL. Cyberchondriasis. ZEITSCHRIFT FUR PSYCHOLOGIE-JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1027/2151-2604/a000404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Abstract. Studies show a rising trend that individuals who worry about their health regularly search the internet. Recently, potentially negative effects of doing so have been highlighted. Illness anxiety and negative affectivity may influence these effects. We tested if searching the internet about a personal symptom leads to increased health concerns and if these traits have an impact. Data from 79 students were collected. Participants were asked to name and evaluate a symptom of personal concern and to research that symptom using the Internet for 5 min. Searching the internet resulted in a significant increase in health concerns and this was significantly moderated by negative affectivity but not by illness anxiety. A replication of these findings, possibly with an older sample scoring higher on illness anxiety will help to better understand the relations described above, and to point consumers and health professionals into the right direction regarding media usage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Pollklas
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Cologne, Germany
| | - Lavinia Widemann
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Cologne, Germany
| | | | - Anna Plakhuta
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Cologne, Germany
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19
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Newby JM, McElroy E. The impact of internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy for health anxiety on cyberchondria. J Anxiety Disord 2020; 69:102150. [PMID: 31739276 DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2019.102150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Revised: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Cyberchondria refers to an emotional-behavioural pattern whereby excessive online searches lead to increased anxiety about one's own health status. It has been shown to be associated with health anxiety, however it is unknown whether existing cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) interventions targeting health anxiety also improve cyberchondria. This study aimed to determine whether internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT) for severe health anxiety led to improvements in self-reported cyberchondria and whether improvements in cyberchondria were associated with improvements in health anxiety observed during treatment. Methods: We analysed secondary data from a randomised controlled trial (RCT) comparing an iCBT group (n = 41) to an active control group who underwent psychoeducation, monitoring and clinical support (n = 41) in health anxious patients with a DSM-5 diagnosis of Illness Anxiety Disorder and/or Somatic Symptom Disorder. The iCBT group showed a significantly greater reduction in cyberchondria compared to the control group, with large differences at post-treatment on the Cyberchondria Severity Scale Total scale (CSS; Hedges g = 1.09), and the Compulsion, Distress, Excessiveness subscales of the CSS (g's: 0.8-1.13). Mediation analyses showed improvements in health anxiety in the iCBT group were mediated by improvements in all of the CSS subscales, except for the Mistrust subscale. Conclusions: Internet CBT for health anxiety improves cyberchondria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jill M Newby
- School of Psychology, UNSW Sydney, 1302 Mathews Building, Randwick, NSW, 2052, Australia; Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression (CRUfAD), School of Psychiatry, UNSW Sydney at St Vincent's Hospital, 390 Victoria Street Darlinghurst, NSW, Sydney, 2010, Australia.
| | - Eoin McElroy
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology and Behaviour, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK
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20
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Hsueh YC, Chen CY, Hsiao YC, Lin CC. A longitudinal, cross-lagged panel analysis of loneliness and depression among community-based older adults. J Elder Abuse Negl 2019; 31:281-293. [DOI: 10.1080/08946566.2019.1660936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Chun Hsueh
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Yuan Chen
- Department of Medical Research, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Biostatistics Center, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chen Hsiao
- Institute of Health and Welfare Policy, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Ching Lin
- Department of Family Medicine, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
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21
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Sjöström AE, Hörnsten Å, Hajdarevic S, Emmoth A, Isaksson U. Primary Health Care Nurses' Experiences of Consultations With Internet-Informed Patients: Qualitative Study. JMIR Nurs 2019; 2:e14194. [PMID: 34345770 PMCID: PMC8279453 DOI: 10.2196/14194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2019] [Revised: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Most people in modern societies now use the Internet to obtain health-related information. By giving patients knowledge, digital health information is considered to increase patient involvement and patient-centered interactions in health care. However, concerns are raised about the varying quality of health-related websites and low health literacy in the population. There is a gap in the current knowledge of nurses’ experiences with Internet-informed patients. Objective The objective of this study was to explore primary health care nurses’ experiences of consultations with patients who present health-related information from the Internet. Methods This is a qualitative study based on interviews with 9 primary health care nurses. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results are reported according to the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research guidelines. Results The phenomenon of Internet-informed patients was considered to change the usual rules in health care, affecting attributes and actions of patients, patterns of interactions in consultations, and roles of nurses and patients. Three categories were identified: (1) Facing the downsides of Googling, (2) Patients as main actors, and (3) Nurse role challenged. Although the benefits of health-related Internet information were described, its negative consequences were emphasized overall. The problems were mainly ascribed to inaccurate Internet information and patients’ inability to effectively manage the information. Conclusions Our study suggests ambivalent attitudes among nurses toward health-related Internet information. In order to promote equitable care in the digital era, increased awareness in health care about useful strategies for overcoming the difficulties and embracing the benefits of conferring with Internet-informed patients seems to be a legitimate goal.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Åsa Hörnsten
- Department of Nursing Umeå University Umeå Sweden
| | | | | | - Ulf Isaksson
- Department of Nursing Umeå University Umeå Sweden.,Arctic Research Centre Umeå University Umeå Sweden
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22
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McMullan RD, Berle D, Arnáez S, Starcevic V. The relationships between health anxiety, online health information seeking, and cyberchondria: Systematic review and meta-analysis. J Affect Disord 2019; 245:270-278. [PMID: 30419526 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2018.11.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 148] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2018] [Revised: 09/17/2018] [Accepted: 11/03/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cyberchondria refers to an abnormal behavioral pattern in which excessive or repeated online searches for health-related information are distressing or anxiety-provoking. Health anxiety has been found to be associated with both online health information seeking and cyberchondria. The aims of the present systematic review and meta-analysis were to examine the magnitude of these associations and identify any moderator variables. METHODS A systematic literature search was performed across several databases (PsycINFO, PubMed, Embase) and reference lists of included studies. RESULTS Twenty studies were included across two independent meta-analyses, with 7373 participants. Random effects meta-analyses showed that there was a positive correlation between health anxiety and online health information seeking [r = 0.34, 95% CI (0.20, 0.48), p < .0001], and between health anxiety and cyberchondria [r = 0.62, 95% CI (0.52, 0.71), p < .0001]. A meta-regression indicated that the age of study participants [Q(1) = 4.58, p = .03] was partly responsible for the heterogeneity found for the relationship between health anxiety and cyberchondria. LIMITATIONS The generalizability and validity of our findings are restricted by the methodological limitations of the primary studies, namely, an over-reliance on a single measure of cyberchondria, the Cyberchondria Severity Scale. CONCLUSIONS Our review found a positive correlation between health anxiety and online health information seeking, and between health anxiety and cyberchondria. Further research should aim to explore the contexts for these associations as well as address the identified limitations of the extant literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan D McMullan
- Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Level 6, 75 Talavera Road, Sydney NSW 2109, Australia.
| | - David Berle
- Discipline of Clinical Psychology, University of Technology Sydney, Australia; School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Sandra Arnáez
- Departamento de Personalidad, Evaluacion y Tratamientos Psicologicos, University of Valencia, Spain
| | - Vladan Starcevic
- Discipline of Psychiatry, Sydney Medical School, Nepean Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Australia
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Zeine R, Mohammed D, Wilcox S, Renee C, Janke C, Jarrett N, Evangelopoulos A, Serrano C, Tabassum N, Turner N, Theodore M, Dusic A. Cyberchondria: Implications of online behavior and health anxiety as determinants. ARCHIVES OF MEDICINE AND HEALTH SCIENCES 2019. [DOI: 10.4103/amhs.amhs_108_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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24
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Chung S. Resistance and acceptance: Ambivalent attitudes toward the aging body and antiaging practices among older Korean migrants living in New Zealand. J Women Aging 2018; 32:259-278. [PMID: 30307802 DOI: 10.1080/08952841.2018.1529475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Using intersectionality as a conceptual framework, this study investigated how older Korean women living in New Zealand perceived their aging bodies, antiaging practices and/or products, and how they used such products. Thematic analysis identified three themes: tension between acceptance of the aging body as an inevitable process and transformation of the aging body into a healthy body, juggling between abstinence and use of antiaging products and practices, and redefining natural aging. The findings challenge binary interpretations between "acceptance" of and "resistance" to the experiences of the aging process and the use of antiaging practices.
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25
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Achieving a balance between the physical and the psychological in headache. Br J Gen Pract 2017; 67:374-375. [PMID: 28751350 DOI: 10.3399/bjgp17x692093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
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