Cyberchondria: Implications of online behavior and health anxiety as determinants

Abstract

<br><b>Background:</b> Cyberchondria is excessive worrying about one's health that develops following internet search for medical and health information. <b>Aim:</b> This study investigates how the development of cyberchondria relates to characteristics of the person searching the internet including their medical history, age, and health-related anxiety. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> A cross-sectional survey was conducted between 2015 and 2016. The “Dr. Net” survey consisted of 32 questions based on previously published surveys probing the use of internet search for health-related information. Participants were recruited from the authors' own social network by receiving a hyperlink through social media platforms and e-mails. One hundred and ninety-one English-speaking individuals, majority from Canada and the USA, completed the “Dr. Net” questionnaire online and anonymously through SurveyMonkey^®. <b>Results:</b> Females sought health-care advice earlier than males (**<i>P</i> = 0.005). Younger age groups exhibited higher frequencies of internet search, daily versus weekly, versus monthly versus yearly, with differences between the 21 and 30 versus >60 (***<i>P</i> = 0.000), 21–30 versus 51–60 (**<i>P</i> = 0.011), 21–30 versus 31–40 (**<i>P</i> = 0.019), 31–40 versus 51–60 (**<i>P</i> = 0.012), 41–50 versus 51–60 (**<i>P</i> = 0.021), and <20 versus >60 years' age groups (**<i>P</i> = 0.024). 30.7% reported developing cyberchondria. Indicators of cyberchondria correlated with older age (<i>r</i> = 0.154, <i>P</i>=**0.036), negative medical history (<i>r</i> = 0.191, **<i>P</i> = 0.013), health anxiety (<i>r</i> = 0.268, ***<i>P</i> = 0.000), and hypochondria (<i>r</i> = 0.142, <i>P</i> = 0.062). Less than four percent perceived their internet search as disadvantageous. <b>Conclusion:</b> Cyberchondria was reported by a third of those who conducted health-related internet searches, with higher frequencies in older, previously healthy individuals who had health anxiety.<br>