Evaluation of Relationship Between Cyberchondria and Obsessive Beliefs in Adults

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between cyberchondria and obsessive beliefs and determine the potential risk of the former.

This was a cross-sectional study conducted with 777 individuals. The Cyberchondria Severity Scale and the Obsessive Beliefs Questionnaire were applied to the participants. Univariate and hierarchical multiple linear regression analyses were used to analyze the data.

Of the study group 382 (49.2%) were male, 395 (50.8%), female. Their ages ranged from 18 to 63 years, with an average of 32.6 (± 9.6) years. Multiple linear regression analysis found that the frequency of internet use (several times a day; n = 670), using the internet as a source of health-related information (n = 320), using the internet to research a doctor before making and/or attending an appointment with same (n = 363), halting the use of prescribed medication based on information obtained on the internet (n = 177), and obsessive beliefs were factors linked to cyberchondria. Cyberchondria and obsessive beliefs were positively related and in the final model were found to be the strongest determinants of cyberchondria.

Obsessive beliefs may be a potential risk factor for cyberchondria. Since cyberchondria affects people's health related behaviors, it is important to ensure the safety of health-related information on the internet. The results of this study may guide future ones that thoroughly investigate the factors associated with cyberchondria. More comprehensive studies are needed to reveal the relationship between cyberchondria and obsessive beliefs.