Muse, Kate ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5824-1841, McManus, F., Leung, C., Meghreblian, B. and Williams, J.M.G. (2012) Cyberchondriasis: Fact or Fction? A Preliminary Examination of the Relationship Between Health Anxiety and Searching For Health Information on the Internet. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 26 (1). pp. 189-196. ISSN 0887-6185
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Abstract
This study examined the relationship between health anxiety and searching for health information online, a phenomenon dubbed ‘cyberchondria’. The majority of those with ‘high’ (n = 46) and ‘low’ (n = 36) levels of health anxiety reported seeking health information online. However, those with higher levels of health anxiety sought online health information more frequently, spent longer searching, and found searching more distressing and anxiety provoking. Furthermore, more responses in the high than low health anxiety group related to searching for information on diagnosed and undiagnosed medical conditions, descriptions
of others’ experiences of illnesses and using message boards/support groups, although the largest proportion of responses in both groups was accounted for by seeking information on symptoms. Linear regression (n = 167) revealed significant relationships between health anxiety and the frequency, duration and distress and anxiety associated with searching for health information online. This preliminary data suggests that searching for health information online may exacerbate health anxiety.
Item Type: | Article |
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Additional Information: | The full-text cannot be supplied for this item. Please check availability with your local library or Interlibrary Requests Service. |
Uncontrolled Discrete Keywords: | Cyberchondria, online searching, internet searching, health information, health anxiety, Hypochondriasis |
Subjects: | B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology |
Divisions: | College of Business, Psychology and Sport > School of Psychology |
Related URLs: | |
Depositing User: | Kate Muse |
Date Deposited: | 19 Aug 2014 09:14 |
Last Modified: | 17 Jun 2020 17:04 |
URI: | https://eprints.worc.ac.uk/id/eprint/3317 |
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