The Role of Anxiety Sensitivity, Intolerance of Uncertainty, and Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms in the prediction of Cyberchondria

Zahra Zangoulechi,Neda Keshavarz,Zahra Yousefi

doi:10.7575/aiac.abcmed.v.6n.4p.1

Zahra Zangoulechi, Neda Keshavarz + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.7575/aiac.abcmed.v.6n.4p.1

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Abstract

Frequent search for health-related data on the internet that escalates anxiety experience is called cyberchondria. The aim of this study was to determine the role of anxiety sensitivity, intolerance of uncertainty and obsessive-compulsive symptoms in the prediction of cyberchondria. The study was performed on 177 students of Tabriz University, Tabriz, Iran. The samples were recruited using clustering sampling method. Data were collected using Cyberchondria Sensitivity Scale (CSS), Anxiety Sensitivity Index-Revised (ASIR), Maudsley Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory (MOCI), and Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS). According to the regression analysis, anxiety sensitivity, intolerance of uncertainty and obsessive-compulsive symptoms positively and significantly predicted cyberchondria. According to the results, the interpretation of physical sensations as dangers, uncertainty about the origin of these senses, and the feeling of responsibility and coercion to be sure about the health leads the individual to frequently search medical information through the Internet.

Highlights

Parallel to the occurring advances in technology and information accessibility, there is a growing increase in the number of health-related searches on the Internet by individuals
Cyberchondria is a multi-dimensional procedure that covers excessive online searches, behavioral interference with other activities due to online searches, anxiety caused by online searches, and asking assurance from health experts due to inadequate data provided by online searches [33]
The results suggest obsessive-compulsive symptoms, anxiety sensitivity, and intolerance of uncertainty are the strong predictors of cyberchondria

Summary

Introduction

Parallel to the occurring advances in technology and information accessibility, there is a growing increase in the number of health-related searches on the Internet by individuals. People would usually prefer medical internet searches over face to face visits seemingly because they took it an easier way to know about their disease. They can ask any question without by not being ashamed of. Advances in Information Technology (IT), have its own demerits. Cyberchondria or excessive or frequent medical internet surfing is of harming factors bringing distress and anxiety. Graham has dubbed cyberchondria as a viral phenomenon and Kohler named it a destructive virus [31]

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