Investigation of the relationships between cybercondria, anxiety sensitivity, somatosensory amplification, and intolerance to uncertainty (tur)

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Siberkondria is the behavior of people looking for information about their health on the internet in a repetitive and continuous manner. This concept is more common in the field of mental health in recent years due to the more use of technology in our daily lives. In this study, it was aimed to examine the demographic variables that affect cyberchondria behavior and to investigate the related concepts. METHODS: A total of 430 people, 254 women and 176 men, participated in this study. A questionnaire form including demographic data form, Cyberchondria Severity Scale, Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3, Intolerance to Uncertainty Scale and Somatosensory Amplification Scale was applied to the participants. RESULTS: Cyberchondria mean scores were found to be significantly higher for female participants (t(428)=3,445; p<0,01), participants seeking health information on the internet (t(428)=7,720; p<0,001), participants using drugs other than a doctor's recommendation (t(428)=2,669; p<0,01), and those who think they have found sufficient information about health on the internet (t(428)=5,155; p<0,001). The relationships between cyberchondria and anxiety sensitivity (r=0,49; p<0,001), intolerance to uncertainty (r=0,27; p<0,001), and somatosensory amplification (r=0,38; p<0,001) were found to be significant. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Demographic features and concepts thought to be related to the cyberchondria were found in the study. It is thought that this study provides current knowledge to the literature in understanding the concept of cyberchondria.

Keywords

• cyberchondria
• anxiety sensitivity
• intolerance to uncertainty
• somatosensory amplification