Cyberchondria and internet addiction among nurses: Online study of predictors and differences

Cyberchondria, characterized by excessive online health-related searches, mirrors patterns of internet addiction. This study investigates differences and predictors of cyberchondria and internet addiction among nurses.

In January 2024, data were gathered from 370 nurses using a cross-sectional online survey and convenience sampling. Descriptive statistics, ANOVA, Pearson and Spearman correlations, and multiple linear regression analyses were performed.

Nurses demonstrated elevated cyberchondria severity (CSS M = 3.50, SE = 0.63) and mild internet addiction (IAT M = 42.94). ANOVA results indicated significant group differences in cyberchondria by age (F = 3.74, p = 0.011) and education level (F = 7.07, p = 0.001), with younger nurses (age < 25) and those holding baccalaureate/master's degrees scoring highest. Similarly, internet addiction differed by age (F = 7.72, p = 0.001), education (F = 6.29, p = 0.001), and clinical experience (F = 4.13, p = 0.003), with junior nurses (<2 years' experience) exhibiting higher scores. A strong positive correlation linked cyberchondria and internet addiction (r = 0.606, p < 0.01). Regression models revealed internet addiction accounted for 43.9 % of cyberchondria variance (p < 0.001). In comparison, cyberchondria and age jointly predicted 45.6 % of internet addiction variance (p < 0.001).

Cyberchondria and internet addiction among nurses are interrelated, with age and education as shared predictors. Younger, less experienced nurses exhibited higher levels of both conditions. These findings highlight the need for specific and tailored interventions to promote healthy internet use and mitigate health-related anxiety in nursing practice.