The Relationship Between Cyberchondria and Health Anxiety in University Students

The Relationship Between Cyberchondria and Health Anxiety in University Students | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article The Relationship Between Cyberchondria and Health Anxiety in University Students arzu akay, nurgül karakurt This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-6224682/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 16 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Background: In today's digital era, university students frequently utilize the internet to seek health-related information. This behavior, while potentially informative, can lead to excessive online searches, resulting in heightened health anxiety—a phenomenon termed "cyberchondria." Understanding the relationship between cyberchondria and health anxiety is essential, as both can significantly impact students' well-being and academic performance. Methods: The study was designed to be descriptive and relationship-seeking. The study was conducted with 1296 students studying at A University between October 2023 and June 2024. “Personal Data Form”, “Cyberchondria Severity Scale” and “Health Anxiety Inventory” were used to collect data. Data was collected by face-to-face survey method after obtaining the necessary permissions.The data evaluation was performed by using the SPSS 22 package program, using numbers, mean values, percentage distribution, standard deviation, Pearson Correlation Analysis, and One-Way ANOVA. Results: The mean Cyberchondria Severity Scale score was 85.26±19.60, indicating a moderate level of cyberchondria among students. The mean Health Anxiety Inventory score was 32.36±5.51, suggesting above-average health anxiety. A significant positive correlation was found between Cyberchondria Severity Scale and Health Anxiety Inventory scores (p<0.05). Further analysis revealed that health anxiety accounted for 8% of the variance in cyberchondria severity. Conclusion: The findings indicate that higher health anxiety is associated with increased cyberchondria among university students. Developing awareness programs to help students manage online health information-seeking behaviors is recommended. Cyberchondria health anxiety Internet addiction Nursing University students INTRODUCTION Health is defined as a state of existence that is highly valued and essential within society and might also be called a source of life because it allows individuals to live and participate in life [1]. Although disease is defined as a biological dysfunction, or a pathological condition, health and disease or normal and pathology are plural concepts, it is recommended that context-specific definitions be taken into consideration [2]. In our present day, the internet has become the first source of reference for many individuals who seek health-related information [3]. Although this provides a great advantage for those who want to alleviate their health concerns or obtain information, it also brings with it some risks, which brings the concept of “cyberchondria” to light. Cyberchondria is defined as individuals searching for health and disease-related data on the internet, experiencing severe anxiety about an essential pathological condition based on this data, and then seeking to diagnose and cure themselves [4]. It is considered that cyberchondria involves a pathological behavior pattern rather than a diagnostic concept, and is more common in individuals who have high levels of health anxiety [5]. Considering the epidemic of internet use and the existing and potential negative effects of easily viewing unfiltered online health data, cyberchondria is an essential public healthcare spectrum [6]. Also, since its birth, the concept of cyberchondria has attracted interest and curiosity among researchers and researchers have tried to satisfy their curiosity by associating it with different concepts in various countries on a global scale. Upon reviewing previous studies, it has been observed that cyberchondria, a term describing the unfounded escalation of concerns about common symptomatology based on online information, often arises from severe health anxiety and behaviors associated with internet addiction. Although there are studies conducted on cyberchondria and health anxiety in the literature, changes in individuals’ lifestyles with the rapid growth in technology create gaps in current study areas [7-9]. McMullan et al. [2019] employed a meta-analysis method to review the connections between health anxiety, online healthcare data search, and cyberchondria [10]. According to Zheng et al., in the synthesis of previous studies, a positive association was detected between health anxiety and online healthcare data search, and subsequently between health anxiety and cyberchondria [11]. Considering the potential negative damages of accessing online health data with the increasing prevalence of internet consumption and the maturation of technology, cyberchondria has become an important concept for public healthcare [12]. In this context, within the scope of public healthcare nursing, creating awareness about these concepts is essential to protect and improve the health of society. Addressing healthcare concerns such as cyberchondria and health anxiety and managing these can make significant contributions to the general healthcare of society. Public healthcare nurses raising awareness about these issues, providing education and consultancy services, and increasing the healthcare awareness of society will help individuals manage their concerns about their healthcare. Otherwise, these situations might cause an unnecessary burden on individuals for healthcare services, a waste of healthcare resources, and a decrease in general healthcare awareness in society. When the literature was reviewed, it was found that the relationship between cyberchondria and health anxiety is a multifaceted, complex, and important public healthcare problem and that more studies are needed on this subject because of developing and changing technological developments, and studies in this field has been planned. It is considered that the present study will contribute to the development of intervention strategies to reduce cyberchondria and healthcare anxiety by providing important data to understand the healthcare information-seeking behaviors of university students and the effects of these behaviors on psychological health. In this context, the present study aimed to examine the relationship between cyberchondria and health anxiety in university students. MATERIALS AND METHODS Type of Study The study had a descriptive and correlational design. Place and Time of the Study The study was conducted at a university in the east of Türkiye with the students who were receiving undergraduate education in the 2022-2023 academic year between October 2023 and June 2024. The university has 7 faculties and of these faculties, there are 270 students in the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, 1183 students in the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, 114 students in the Faculty of Health Sciences, 187 students in the Faculty of Sports Sciences, 1483 students in the Faculty of Letters, and 339 students in the Faculty of Science. Population and Sample of the Study The population of the study consisted of students at University A in the east of Turkey in the 2022-2023 academic year (N: 3577). A priori power analysis was used to determine the sample size of the study. In the power analysis, for a one-unit effect size for the Pair-t test to be significant, it was found by calculating with the g-power program that at least 347 students should be included in the study at a significance level of 0.05 at a power of 95% and a Confidence Interval of 95%(13). In determining the sample, firstly the students at the university where the study would be conducted in the 2022-2023 academic year were identified. Without using any sampling method, the purpose was to reach the entire population, and all faculties and departments were visited and students who volunteered to participate in the study were included in the scope of the study. In this direction, the sample of the study consisted of 1296 students (n=1296). Data Collection Tools The “Personal Data Form”, which was prepared by the researcher by scanning the literature, “Cyberchondria Severity Scale”, and “Health Anxiety Inventory” were used to obtain information about the students in the study. Personal Data Form: Prepared by the researcher by reviewing the literature, the form consisted of 15 questions that question personal information (age, sex, education, etc. of the participants) [14-21]. Cyberchondria Severity Scale: Cyberchondria Severity Scale (CSS) was developed by McElroy et al. in 2014 to measure cyberchondria, which is defined as a form of anxiety characterized by excessive health study on the internet. For our study, we employed the Turkish version of the CSS, which has demonstrated robust psychometric properties in previous research [4-6, 8, 23]. Cyberchondria Severity Scale is a 5-point Likert-type scale consisting of 33 propositions and 5 sub-dimensions (Compulsion, Excessive Anxiety, Excessiveness, Reassurance, Distrust in the physician). The total cyberchondria score of the person is calculated by summing the scores obtained from each question. The minimum score that can be obtained from the scale is 33, the maximum score is 165, and the scores obtained from the scale are positively correlated with the level of cyberchondria [22]. 0-33 points are defined as very low level, 33-66 points as low level, 66-99 points as moderate level, 99-132 as high level, and 132-165 as very high level [23]. The Turkish validity and reliability of the Cyberchondria Severity Scale were made by [24]. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient calculated for the reliability of the Cyberchondria Severity Scale is 0.89, while it varies between 0.65 and 0.85 for the sub-dimensions. In the test-retest analyses made for invariance reliability, correlation coefficients were between 0.53-0.71. In this study, Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient for the Cyberchondria scale was .890. Health Anxiety Scale: The scale, which was developed by Salkovskis et al. (2002) and whose validity and reliability studies were conducted by Aydemir et al. in 2013 for its suitability for Turkish society, was employed to measure the health anxiety levels of the survey participants.We utilized the Turkish version of the Health anxiety scale in our research, which has been validated in prior studies. Both instruments are well-established in the literature and were not developed specifically for our study. We have ensured appropriate citations to the original development studies in our manuscript [4,7,16,25,31,36].Although 14 of the 18 items asked within the scope of the scale included sequential responses questioning the participants’ mental state, four items included sequential responses for the participants to evaluate their mental state assuming that the participants had a serious disease. The Health Anxiety Scale is a self-report scale [25]. A minimum of “0” and a maximum of “54” points can be obtained from the scale. The scores obtained from the scale are positively correlated with the level of health anxiety [26]. It was determined that participants who reached the highest level of “54” on the scale were facing serious health anxiety. The health anxiety scale has no sub-dimensions. In the study of Salkovskis et al. [2002], who developed the scale, the reliability coefficient (α) was found to be .89. In this study, Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient for the health anxiety scale was .671. Data Collection After the ethics committee and institutional permission were obtained for the study, the deans of the faculties were contacted for the students at A University during the 2022-2023 academic year and the students were interviewed at the most convenient time and time intervals. The students’ addresses or phone numbers were not requested, and the data were collected by the researcher using the face-to-face survey method on certain days of the week. In the face-to-face interviews, information was given to the students who met the inclusion criteria for the study, and the voluntary consent form was read. All students who accepted were included in the study. This process continued without any sample selection, taking into account the power analysis conducted to determine the sample size, aiming to reach the entire population. The data were collected by the researchers in October 2023 by interviewing the students face-to-face. Filling out the survey forms took an average of 15-20 minutes. Before collecting the data, the participants were informed about the subject, purpose, and content of the data collection tools of the study. No participant was forced to participate in the study, and the principle of confidentiality was adhered to during the application and collection of the surveys. Variables of the Study Independent variables: Personal (i.e., socio-demographic, subjective) information consisting of questions such as age, sex, faculty, grade, etc. were the independent variables of this study. Dependent variables: The total score of the Cyberchondria Severity Scale and the total score of the Health Anxiety Inventory (Short Version) were the dependent variables. Evaluation of the Data The data evaluation was performed by using the SPSS 22 package program, using numbers, mean values, percentage distribution, standard deviation, Pearson Correlation Analysis, and One-Way ANOVA. The total score was obtained as the arithmetic sum of the items. Skewnes-Kurtosis analyses were used to understand whether the data were suitable for normal distribution. A range of Skewnes-Kurtosis values between +1.96 and -1.96 is considered normal distribution [27]. The Skewnes (Skewness) and Kurtosis (Kurtosis) values of the Cyberchondria Severity Scale and Health Anxiety Scale variables were within the normal range ). It can be argued that all values of the scales showed normal distribution. Since these results showed that the data were suitable for normal distribution, parametric analyses were applied to data where the number of people in the group exceeded 30. Ethical Principles of the Study The study complied with the ethical principles mentioned in the Declaration of Helsinki. Before starting the study, an ethics committee permit B.30.2.ATA.0.01.00/509 (permit number) was obtained from a university in a province in the east of Türkiye and an institutional permit E-95837745-100-2200026505 (permit number) was obtained from the relevant institution for the conduct of the study. Also, before starting the study, it was emphasized to the students that the study was voluntary, they were informed about the study, the conflict of interest protocol was explained to the participants and their verbal/written consent was obtained. RESULTS Table 1. Results regarding the descriptive characteristics of the university students included in the study (n=1296) N % Sex Female 830 64.0 Male 466 36.0 Age 18 years and under 126 9.7 19 years old 248 19.1 20 years old 281 21.7 21 years old 293 22.6 22 years old 185 14.3 Ages 23 and over 163 12.6 Min-Max 17-38 X±SD 20.67±2.02 Faculty Faculty of Letters 342 26.4 Faculty of Science 164 12.7 Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences 162 12.5 Faculty of Engineering and Architecture 325 25.1 Faculty of Health Sciences 171 13.2 Faculty of Sports Sciences 132 10.2 Grade 1st grade 525 40.5 2nd grade 432 33.3 3rd grade 137 10.6 4th grade 202 15.6 Having a chronic disease Yes 402 31.0 No 894 69.0 Having a chronic disease in first-degree relatives Yes 457 35.3 No 839 64.7 Time spent on the internet 1 hour or less 37 2.9 1-2 hours 162 12.5 2-3 hours 309 23.8 3-4 hours 317 24.5 4 hours and more 471 36.3 Table 1. (Continued) N % Frequency of doing health-related study on the internet Rarely 194 15.0 Sometimes 680 52.5 Often 422 32.6 Belief in health-related information on the internet Yes 647 49.9 No 649 50.1 If the information on the internet is not convincing, searching again Yes 995 76.8 No 301 23.2 Self-diagnosis with information on the internet Yes 579 44.7 No 717 55.3 How s/s/he feels about her health information searches on the internet Comfortable 425 32.8 Concerned 564 43.5 No change in mood 307 23.7 Going to the hospital to confirm the disease s/he thinks s/he might have as a result of searching for health information on the internet Yes 788 60.8 No 508 39.2 In Table 1, 64% of the university students included in the study are female, 22.6% are 21 years old, 14.3% are 22 years old, the age range is between 17 and 38 and the arithmetic mean is 20.67±2.02, 26.4% are students in the faculty of literature, 40.5% are first-year students, 31% have a chronic disease, 35.3% have a chronic disease in their first-degree relatives (mother, father, sibling), 36.3% spend 4 hours or more on the internet, 52.5% occasionally do study on health on the internet, 49.9% believe that the information they obtain as a result of their health-related study on the internet is accurate, 76.8% search again and again when they are not convinced by the results of their health-related study on the internet, 44.7% diagnose themselves with the information they obtain as a result of their health-related study on the internet, 32.8% feel comfortable as a result of their health-related study on the internet, 23.7% do not feel any change in their mood as a result of their health-related study on the internet, and 60.8% apply to the hospital to confirm the disease they think they may have as a result of their health information searches on the internet. Table 2. Arithmetic mean and standard deviation values for Cyberchondria Severity Scale and Health Anxiety Scale scores Mean SD Cyberchondria Severity Scale 85.26 19.600 Excessive Anxiety Sub-Dimension 20.56 7.011 Excessiveness Sub-Dimension 25.13 6.609 Reassurance Sub-Dimension 17.95 5.198 Distrust in the physician Sub-Dimension 7.28 3.410 Health Anxiety Scale 32.36 5.513 In Table 2, the mean score of the Cyberchondria Severity Scale sub-dimensions, Compulsion Sub-Dimension, is 14.35±6.88, the mean score of the Excessive Anxiety Sub- Dimension is 20.56±7.01, the mean score of the Excessiveness Sub-Dimension is 25.13±6.61, the mean score of the Reassurance Sub- Dimension is 17.95±5.20, and the mean score of the Distrust in the physician Sub-Dimension is 7.28±3.41, the mean total score for the Cyberchondria Severity Scale is 85.26±19.60, and the mean total score for the Health Anxiety Scale is 32.36±5. Table 3. Correlation values between the students’ Cyberchondria Severity Scale and Health Anxiety Scale Health Anxiety Scale Compulsion Dimension R .226** P .000 Excessive Anxiety Dimension R .030 P .286 Excessiveness Dimension R -.067* P .015 Reassurance Dimension R .011 P .681 Distrust in the physician Dimension R .168** P .000 Cyberchondria Severity Scale R .100** P .000 * p<0.001 significant In Table 3, positive significant relationships were detected between the Cyberchondria Severity Scale total score and the Compulsion Sub-Dimension, Distrust in the physician Dimension and Health Anxiety Scale at the significance level of p<0.05, and negative significant relationships were found between the Health Anxiety Scale and the Excessiveness Dimension at the significance level of p<0.05. As a result, it can be argued that as the Health Anxiety Scale scores increase, the Compulsion Dimension, Distrust in the physician Dimension, and Cyberchondria Severity Scale scores also increase, while the Excessiveness Dimension scores decrease. Table 4. Linear Regression Analysis results regarding the prediction of Cyberchondria Severity Scale scores on Health Anxiety Scale scores Variable B Standard Error Beta t P Constant 30,513 ,772 39,509 ,000 Compulsion Dimension ,205 ,039 ,256 5,219 ,000 Excessiveness Dimension -,086 ,047 -,103 -1,833 ,067 Distrust in the physician Dimension ,194 ,048 ,120 4,005 ,000 Cyberchondria Severity Scale -,004 ,021 -,014 -,190 ,850 R=,289 R2 =, 084 F (4.1291) =29.448 p=.000 The Durbin-Watson (DW) Test was used to understand whether there was autocorrelation in the model. DW value was found as 1.808 and since this value was close to 2, it can be argued that there was no autocorrelation. For the multicollinearity problem, tolerance values were examined and it was seen that all tolerance values were greater than (1- R 2 ). After it was found that there were no autocorrelation and multicollinearity problems, the analysis was continued. DISCUSSION The results of the study, which was conducted to examine the relationship between cyberchondria and health anxiety among university students, are discussed in this section in line with the relevant literature data. When the study results were evaluated, based on the score obtained from the cyberchondria severity scale, the cyberchondria level of the students was found to be at a moderate level (Table 2). Similar to these results, in the study conducted by Tarhan et al. (2021) to determine the relationship between health literacy and cyberchondria levels across generations, which included 1196 individuals between the ages of 18-75 residing in Istanbul, the cyberchondria level was found to be at a moderate level [23]. Again, in the descriptive study conducted by Kartal & Leyla [2021] with volunteer students at all levels of the midwifery department of the faculty of health sciences of a state university, the cyberchondria level and associated factors of midwifery students in the presence of the COVID-19 pandemic were examined, and the cyberchondria level was found to be at a moderate level [28]. Tuna et al. [2023] conducted a study involving various faculties of a state university, aiming to examine the level of cyberchondria, health anxiety, and influencing factors in students, and the level of cyberchondria was found to be at a moderate level [6]. In international studies, Aulia et al. [2020] examined cyberchondria levels in a study involving first-year medical students in Indonesia, and cyberchondria levels were found to be at a moderate level [29]. Khazaal et al. [2021] aimed to investigate cyberchondria and health-related compulsive internet use in a study conducted with individuals aged at least 18 who spoke English and lived in six different countries, and cyberchondria levels were found to be at a moderate level [30]. In this context, the study results are parallel to the relevant literature reports. Based on the results of the present study, according to the score obtained from the health anxiety scale, the students’ scores were found to be above average (Table 2). In parallel with the results, the study conducted by Özdelikara et al. [2018] aimed to determine the perception of health, health anxiety, and related factors in nursing students, and the health anxiety level of the students was found to be above average [31]. Contrary to the results of the present study, the study conducted by Özdin & Bayrak Özdin [2020] was conducted to review the levels of mental health and health anxiety in Turkey during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the score obtained from the health anxiety scale was found to be below the average [32]. Again, the study conducted by Özyıldız & Alkan [2022] was conducted to examine the correlation between the cyberchondria level and health anxiety of academics, and the health anxiety level of academics was found to be below the average [33]. This difference between the study results may be due to the different sample sizes, individual differences, temporal factors, demographic characteristics, and the difference in average age and marital status. In the present study, it was also found that as the Health Anxiety Scale scores increased, the Cyberchondria Severity Scale scores also increased, in other words, there were positive correlations between them (Table 3). In the study conducted domestically [34], the purpose was to describe the correlation between cyberchondria and health anxiety during the COVID-19 outbreak and the reflection of health anxiety on cyberchondria, and it was observed that there was a positive correlation in the relationship between cyberchondria and health anxiety. Also, it was concluded that health anxiety triggered cyberchondria, and the increase in health anxiety caused an increase in the level of cyberchondria [34]. Again, in the study conducted by Göde & Öztürk [2023], the purpose was to determine the reflection of the cyberchondria levels of university students on health anxiety, and it was concluded that as the cyberchondria action increased, health anxiety would also increase [35]. In the study conducted by Doğan et al. [2021] with students studying at two state universities in Kayseri, the purpose was to determine the reflection of pathological internet use and health anxiety on the act of cyberchondria, and as a result, it was determined that pathological internet use and health anxiety increased the levels of cyberchondria [36]. In the meta-analysis study conducted abroad by McMullan et al. [2019], it was reported that there were positive correlations between health anxiety and online health information search and between health anxiety and cyberchondria [10]. Also, the study conducted by Nadeem et al. [2022] was designed to review the connection between cyberchondria, health anxiety, and metacognitive beliefs, and revealed that metacognitive beliefs and health anxiety caused an increase in cyberchondria [37]. Santoro et al. [2022] also reported that the severity of somatic symptoms predicted an increased level of cyberchondria and that health anxiety mediated this connection [38]. Methods that help minimize health anxiety help reduce the risk of cyberchondria. The results of the study are parallel to the relevant literature on the relationship between health anxiety and cyberchondria. In Table 4, the Compulsion Dimension, Excessiveness Dimension, Distrust in the Physician Dimension, and Cyberchondria Severity Scale variables have a significant relationship with the Health Anxiety Scale (R=.289, R2=.084, p<0.05). The Compulsion Dimension, Excessiveness Dimension, Distrust in the Physician Dimension, and Cyberchondria Severity Scale variables explain 8% of the total variance of the Health Anxiety Scale. According to the standardized regression coefficient (b), according to the predictor variable, Compulsion Dimension, Excessiveness Dimension, Distrust in the physician Dimension, and Cyberchondria Severity Scale variables were found to be effective. When the t-test results regarding the significance of the regression coefficients are examined, it is seen that Compulsion Dimension and Distrust in the physician Dimension variables are significant predictors of Health Anxiety. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS In the present study, which was conducted to examine the relationship between cyberchondria and health anxiety of university students, the following results were reached. The Cyberchondria Severity Scale scores of the university students participating in the study were above average. Students’ Health Anxiety Scale scores were above average. Cyberchondria Severity Scale variables affect Health Anxiety. Cyberchondria Severity Scale variables were found to be a significant predictor of Health Anxiety, indicating that cyberchondria might increase health anxiety. Based on these results, the following recommendations are made. Training and information programs should be organized in universities to increase awareness of cyberchondria and health anxiety, and students must be taught to be careful when searching for healthcare information on the internet and reliable sources of information. Psychological counseling and support services for students at universities should be strengthened and students experiencing cyberchondria and health anxiety should be taught to manage their anxiety by benefiting from such services. Courses should be added to the curricula or additional programs, and these courses should teach how to access accurate and reliable health information to increase students’ digital health literacy. Training projects should be planned and implemented to raise awareness in the field of school health nursing, which is an important area of public health nursing. Topics to increase awareness of cyberchondria and health anxiety should be added to the public healthcare nursing curricula. Impact on Clinical Practice: The findings of this study underscore a significant correlation between cyberchondria and health anxiety among university students, offering critical insights for clinical practice. Healthcare professionals should be cognizant of the potential for patients to experience heightened anxiety due to extensive online health information searches, leading to unnecessary medical consultations and diagnostic procedures. This phenomenon not only places additional strain on healthcare resources but also contributes to increased healthcare costs. In clinical settings, it is imperative for healthcare providers to assess patients' online health information-seeking behaviors and address any resultant anxieties. Engaging in open dialogues about the credibility of online medical content can help mitigate unwarranted fears. Furthermore, guiding patients towards reputable and accurate online health resources can empower them to make informed decisions without unnecessary distress. By integrating discussions about cyberchondria into patient assessments and providing appropriate counseling, clinicians can enhance patient education, reduce health-related anxieties, and promote more effective utilization of healthcare services. This proactive approach is essential in adapting to the evolving digital landscape and its impact on patient behavior. Limitations and Strengths of the Study Limitations: Sample Diversity: The study was confined to students from a single university, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to a broader population. Cross-Sectional Design: The cross-sectional nature of the study precludes the establishment of causal relationships between cyberchondria and health anxiety. Strengths: Large Sample Size : The inclusion of 1,296 students enhances the statistical power and reliability of the findings. Validated Instruments: Utilizing established scales like the "Cyberchondria Severity Scale" and the "Health Anxiety Inventory" ensures the reliability and validity of the measurements. Contemporary Relevance: Addressing the relationship between cyberchondria and health anxiety among university students contributes valuable insights to current discussions on mental health in the digital age. Abbreviations Not applicable Declarations Ethics approval and consent to participate The study complied with the ethical principles mentioned in the Declaration of Helsinki. Before starting the study, an ethics committee permit B.30.2.ATA.0.01.00/509 (permit number) was obtained from a university in a province in the east of Türkiye and an institutional permit E-95837745-100-2200026505 (permit number) was obtained from the relevant institution for the conduct of the study. Also, before starting the study, it was emphasized to the students that the study was voluntary, they were informed about the study, the conflict of interest protocol was explained to the participants and their verbal/written consent was obtained. Consent for publication Not applicable. Availability of data and materials Not applicable (this manuscript does not report data generation or analysis). Competing Interests The authors declare no competing interests. Funding This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. Authors' contributions 1.Study design: A.A., N.K. 2. Data collection: A.A., N.K. 3. Data analysis: N.K. 4. Study supervision: N.K. 5. Manuscript writing: N.K., A.A. 6. Critical revisions for important intellectual content: N.K. Acknowledgments This study was conducted as a Master's thesis in the Department of Public Health Nursing at the Institute of Health Sciences, Erzurum Technical University Conflict of Interest Statement The authors declare no conflicts of interest. Clinical trial number Not applicable Human Ethics and Consent to Participate Declarations Not applicable References McCartney G, Popham F, McMaster R, Cumbers A: Defining health and health inequalities. Public Health. 2019;172:22-30. Van der Linden R, Schermer M: Health and disease as practical concepts: exploring function in context-specific definitions. Medicine, Health Care and Philosophy . 2022; 25 (1):131-40. Tarhan N: Doğru bir politika üretemezsek Z kuşağı kayıp kuşak olacak. Bağımlılık, sanal veya gerçek bağımlılıkla başa çıkma (7 Baskı) İstanbul: Timaş Yayınları. 2020. Kalmaz A, Temel M: Kronik Hastalığı Olan ve Olmayan Bireylerde Akılcı İlaç Kullanımı, Sağlık Anksiyetesi ve Siberkondri. Adnan Menderes Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi Dergisi. 2024; 8 (1):42-54. Göde A, Öztürk YE: Üniversite Öğrencilerinin Siberkondri Düzeylerinin Sağlık Kaygısı Üzerine Etkisinin İncelenmesi. Selçuk Sağlık Dergisi. 2023; 4 (Kongre Özel):1-17. Kartal YA, Kaya L: COVID-19 salgininda ebelik öğrencilerinin siberkondri düzeyleri ve etkileyen faktörlerin incelenmesi. Samsun Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, 6( 3), 541-555. Bati AH, Mandiracioglu A, Govsa F, Çam O: Health anxiety and cyberchondria among Ege University health science students. Nurse Education Today. 2018;71:169-73. Bahadır E: Çevrimiçi sağlık arama davranışı (siberkondri) üzerine bir gözden geçirme. Klinik Psikoloji Dergisi. 2021; 5 (1):79-85. Liu S, Yang H, Cheng M, Miao T: Family dysfunction and cyberchondria among Chinese adolescents: A moderated mediation model. International Journal of Environmental Research And Public Health. 2022; 19 (15):9716. McMullan RD, Berle D, Arnáez S, Starcevic V: The relationships between health anxiety, online health information seeking, and cyberchondria: Systematic review and meta-analysis . Journal of Affective Disorders. 2019;245:270-8. Erdoğan A, Hocaoğlu Ç: Enfeksiyon hastalıklarının ve pandeminin psikiyatrik yönü: Bir gözden geçirme. Klinik Psikiyatri Dergisi. 2020; 23( 1):72-80. Mathes BM, Norr AM, Allan NP, Albanese BJ, Schmidt NB: Cyberchondria: Overlap with health anxiety and unique relations with impairment, quality of life, and service utilization. Psychiatry Research. 2018;261:204-11. Çapık C: İ statistiksel güç analizi ve hemşirelik araştırmalarında kullanımı: temel bilgiler. Anadolu Hemşirelik ve Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi. 2014:268-74. Brooks SK, Webster RK, Smith LE, Woodland L, Wessely S, Greenberg N, et al: The psychological impact of quarantine and how to reduce it: rapid review of the evidence. The Lancet. 2020; 395 (10227):912-20. Huang Y, Zhao N: Generalized anxiety disorder, depressive symptoms and sleep quality during COVID-19 outbreak in China: a web-based cross-sectional survey. Psychiatry research. 2020;288:112954. Okuyan CB, Karasu F, Polat F: Hemşirelik öğrencilerinin Covid-19’a maruz kalma korkularının sağlık kaygısı düzeyleri üzerine etkisi: Bir üniversite örneği. Van Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi. 2020; 13 (COVID-19 Özel Sayı):45-52. Wang C, Horby PW, Hayden FG, Gao GF: A novel coronavirus outbreak of global health concern. The Lancet. 2020; 395 (10223):470-3. Baykal E: COVID-19 Bağlaminda Psikolojik Dayaniklilik, Kaygi ve Yaşam Doyum İlişkisi. International Journal of Social and Economic Sciences. 2020; 10 (2):68-80. Bou-Hamad I, Hoteit R, Harajli D: Health worries, life satisfaction, and social well-being concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic: insights from Lebanon. Plos One. 2021; 16 (7):e0254989. Duong CD: The impact of fear and anxiety of Covid-19 on life satisfaction: Psychological distress and sleep disturbance as mediators. Personality and Individual Differences. 2021;178:110869. Karabağ Aydın A, Fidan H: The effect of nurses' death anxiety on life satisfaction during the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey. Journal of Religion And Health. 2022; 61 (1):811-26. Uzun SU, Zencir M: Cyberchondria and associated factors among university staff. ESTÜDAM Halk Sağlığı Dergisi. 2022; 7 (2):257-68. Tarhan N, Tutgun-ünal A, Ekinci Y: Yeni kuşak hastalığı siberkondri: Yeni medya çağında kuşakların siberkondri düzeyleri ile sağlık okuryazarlığı ilişkisi. OPUS International Journal of Society Researches. 2021; 17 (37):4253-97. Uzun SU, Özdemir C, Zencir M: Pamukkale Üniversitesi öğrencilerinin tuz kullanımı ile ilgili bilgi, tutum ve davranışları. Fırat Tıp Dergisi. 2016. Aydemir Ö, Kirpinar I, Sati T, Uykur B, Cengisiz C: Sağlık Anksiyetesi Ölçeği'nin Türkçe için Güvenilirlik ve Geçerlilik Çalışması. Archives of Neuropsychiatry/Nöropsikiyatri Arşivi. 2013; 50 (4). Çevik S, Çıtlık Sarıtaş S: Miyokard infarktüsü geçiren hastalarda sağlık anksiyetesinin uyku kalitesine etkisi. Kardiyovasküler Hemşirelik Dergisi. 2020; 11 (24):16-22. George D: SPSS for windows step by step: A simple study guide and reference, 17.0 update, 10/e: Pearson Education India; 2011. Belli, M. . The effect of coronavirus fear on cyberchondria level in students studying in the field of health. Turkish Journal of Health Science and Life . 2022; 5 (2), 142-151. Aulia A, Marchira CR, Supriyanto I, Pratiti B. Cyberchondria in first year medical students of Yogyakarta. Journal of Consumer Health on the Internet. 2020; 24 (1):1-9. Khazaal Y, Chatton A, Rochat L, Hede V, Viswasam K, Penzenstadler L, et al: Compulsive health-related internet use and cyberchondria. European Addiction Research. 2021; 27 (1):58-66. Özdelikara A, Alkan SA, Mumcu N: Hemşirelik öğrencilerinde sağlık algısı, sağlık anksiyetesi ve etkileyen faktörlerin belirlenmesi. Bakırköy Tıp Dergisi. 2018; 14 (3):275-82. Özdin S, Bayrak Özdin Ş: Levels and predictors of anxiety, depression and health anxiety during COVID-19 pandemic in Turkish society: The importance of gender. International Journal of Social Psychiatry. 2020; 66 (5):504-11. Özyıldız KH, Alkan A: Akademisyenlerin sağlık anksiyeteleri ile siberkondri düzeyleri arasındaki ilişkinin incelenmesine yönelik bir araştırma. Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi Vizyoner Dergisi. 2022; 13 (33):309-24. Doğanyiğit PB, Keçeligil HT: Covid-19 pandemi sürecinde bireylerin sağlık kaygılarının siberkondri üzerindeki etkisi. Celal Bayar Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Enstitüsü Dergisi. 2022; 9 (3):355-62. Göde A, Öztürk YE: Üniversite Öğrencilerinin Siberkondri Düzeylerinin Sağlik Kaygisi Üzerine Etkisinin İncelenmesi. Selçuk Sağlık Dergisi . 2023; 4 (Kongre Özel):1-17. Doğan S, Acar F, Doğan TGB: İnternet bağımlılığı ve sağlık anksiyetesinin siberkondria davranışları üzerine etkisi. Erciyes Akademi. 2021; 35 (1):281-98. Nadeem F, Malik NI, Atta M, Ullah I, Martinotti G, Pettorruso M, et al: Relationship between health-anxiety and cyberchondria: Role of metacognitive beliefs. J ournal of Clinical Medicine. 2022; 11 (9):2590. Santoro G, Starcevic V, Scalone A, Cavallo J, Musetti A, Schimmenti A: The doctor is in (ternet): the mediating role of health anxiety in the relationship between somatic symptoms and cyberchondria. Journal of Personalized Medicine. 2022; 12 (9):1490. Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 24 Oct, 2025 Reviews received at journal 20 Jun, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 15 Jun, 2025 Reviews received at journal 12 Jun, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 10 Jun, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 10 Jun, 2025 Reviews received at journal 10 Jun, 2025 Reviews received at journal 08 Jun, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 07 Jun, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 04 Jun, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 03 Jun, 2025 Reviewers invited by journal 28 May, 2025 Editor assigned by journal 27 May, 2025 Editor invited by journal 23 Mar, 2025 Submission checks completed at journal 20 Mar, 2025 First submitted to journal 20 Mar, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-6224682","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":463812570,"identity":"1849318d-bccd-42bb-99e2-fb105fdec282","order_by":0,"name":"arzu akay","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Hacivat Family Health Center","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"arzu","middleName":"","lastName":"akay","suffix":""},{"id":463812571,"identity":"54a2bc92-f552-4ffe-85c1-904db49ffdb1","order_by":1,"name":"nurgül karakurt","email":"data:image/png;base64,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","orcid":"","institution":"erzurum teknik üniversity","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"nurgül","middleName":"","lastName":"karakurt","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2025-03-14 08:53:15","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6224682/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-6224682/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":83649769,"identity":"9b244eab-904c-4c2b-814f-920b558310b0","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-05-30 06:42:27","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":2460333,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6224682/v1/6a38ef63-cb48-463e-88c3-5d12f96c022f.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"\u003cp\u003e The Relationship Between Cyberchondria and Health Anxiety in University Students\u003c/p\u003e","fulltext":[{"header":"INTRODUCTION","content":"\u003cp\u003eHealth is defined as a state of existence that is highly valued and essential within society and might also be called a source of life because it allows individuals to live and participate in life [1]. Although disease is defined as a biological dysfunction, or a pathological condition, health and disease or normal and pathology are plural concepts, it is recommended that context-specific definitions be taken into consideration [2]. In our present day, the internet has become the first source of reference for many individuals who seek health-related information [3]. Although this provides a great advantage for those who want to alleviate their health concerns or obtain information, it also brings with it some risks, which brings the concept of “cyberchondria” to light. Cyberchondria is defined as individuals searching for health and disease-related data on the internet, experiencing severe anxiety about an essential pathological condition based on this data, and then seeking to diagnose and cure themselves [4]. It is considered that cyberchondria involves a pathological behavior pattern rather than a diagnostic concept, and is more common in individuals who have high levels of health anxiety [5]. Considering the epidemic of internet use and the existing and potential negative effects of easily viewing unfiltered online health data, cyberchondria is an essential public healthcare spectrum [6]. Also, since its birth, the concept of cyberchondria has attracted interest and curiosity among researchers and researchers have tried to satisfy their curiosity by associating it with different concepts in various countries on a global scale. Upon reviewing previous studies, it has been observed that cyberchondria, a term describing the unfounded escalation of concerns about common symptomatology based on online information, often arises from severe health anxiety and behaviors associated with internet addiction.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough there are studies conducted on cyberchondria and health anxiety in the literature, changes in individuals’ lifestyles with the rapid growth in technology create gaps in current study areas [7-9]. McMullan et al. [2019] employed a meta-analysis method to review the connections between health anxiety, online healthcare data search, and cyberchondria [10]. According to Zheng et al., in the synthesis of previous studies, a positive association was detected between health anxiety and online healthcare data search, and subsequently between health anxiety and cyberchondria [11]. Considering the potential negative damages of accessing online health data with the increasing prevalence of internet consumption and the maturation of technology, cyberchondria has become an important concept for public healthcare [12].\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this context, within the scope of public healthcare nursing, creating awareness about these concepts is essential to protect and improve the health of society. Addressing healthcare concerns such as cyberchondria and health anxiety and managing these can make significant contributions to the general healthcare of society. Public healthcare nurses raising awareness about these issues, providing education and consultancy services, and increasing the healthcare awareness of society will help individuals manage their concerns about their healthcare. Otherwise, these situations might cause an unnecessary burden on individuals for healthcare services, a waste of healthcare resources, and a decrease in general healthcare awareness in society.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen the literature was reviewed, it was found that the relationship between cyberchondria and health anxiety is a multifaceted, complex, and important public healthcare problem and that more studies are needed on this subject because of developing and changing technological developments, and studies in this field has been planned. It is considered that the present study will contribute to the development of intervention strategies to reduce cyberchondria and healthcare anxiety by providing important data to understand the healthcare information-seeking behaviors of university students and the effects of these behaviors on psychological health.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this context, the present study aimed to examine the relationship between cyberchondria and health anxiety in university students.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"MATERIALS AND METHODS","content":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eType of Study\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe study had a descriptive and correlational design.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlace and Time of the Study\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe study was conducted at a university in the east of Türkiye with the students who were receiving undergraduate education in the 2022-2023 academic year between October 2023 and June 2024. The university has 7 faculties and of these faculties, there are 270 students in the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, 1183 students in the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, 114 students in the Faculty of Health Sciences, 187 students in the Faculty of Sports Sciences, 1483 students in the Faculty of Letters, and 339 students in the Faculty of Science.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePopulation and Sample of the Study\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe population of the study consisted of students at University A in the east of Turkey in the 2022-2023 academic year (N: 3577).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA priori power analysis was used to determine the sample size of the study. In the power analysis, for a one-unit effect size for the Pair-t test to be significant, it was found by calculating with the g-power program that at least 347 students should be included in the study at a significance level of 0.05 at a power of 95% and a Confidence Interval of 95%(13). In determining the sample, firstly the students at the university where the study would be conducted in the 2022-2023 academic year were identified. Without using any sampling method, the purpose was to reach the entire population, and all faculties and departments were visited and students who volunteered to participate in the study were included in the scope of the study. In this direction, the sample of the study consisted of 1296 students (n=1296).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eData Collection Tools\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe “Personal Data Form”, which was prepared by the researcher by scanning the literature, “Cyberchondria Severity Scale”, and “Health Anxiety Inventory” were used to obtain information about the students in the study.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePersonal Data Form:\u003c/strong\u003e Prepared by the researcher by reviewing the literature, the form consisted of 15 questions that question personal information (age, sex, education, etc. of the participants) [14-21].\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCyberchondria Severity Scale:\u003c/strong\u003eCyberchondria Severity Scale (CSS) was developed by McElroy et al. in 2014 to measure cyberchondria, which is defined as a form of anxiety characterized by excessive health study on the internet.\u0026nbsp;For our study, we employed the Turkish version of the CSS, which has demonstrated robust psychometric properties in previous research [4-6, 8, 23].\u0026nbsp;Cyberchondria Severity Scale is a 5-point Likert-type scale consisting of 33 propositions and 5 sub-dimensions (Compulsion, Excessive Anxiety, Excessiveness, Reassurance, Distrust in the physician). The total cyberchondria score of the person is calculated by summing the scores obtained from each question. The minimum score that can be obtained from the scale is 33, the maximum score is 165, and the scores obtained from the scale are positively correlated with the level of cyberchondria [22]. 0-33 points are defined as very low level, 33-66 points as low level, 66-99 points as moderate level, 99-132 as high level, and 132-165 as very high level [23]. The Turkish validity and reliability of the Cyberchondria Severity Scale were made by [24]. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient calculated for the reliability of the Cyberchondria Severity Scale is 0.89, while it varies between 0.65 and 0.85 for the sub-dimensions. In the test-retest analyses made for invariance reliability, correlation coefficients were between 0.53-0.71. In this study, Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient for the Cyberchondria scale was .890.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHealth Anxiety Scale:\u003c/strong\u003eThe scale, which was developed by Salkovskis et al. (2002) and whose validity and reliability studies were conducted by Aydemir et al. in 2013 for its suitability for Turkish society, was employed to measure the health anxiety levels of the survey participants.We utilized the Turkish version of the Health anxiety scale in our research, which has been validated in prior studies. Both instruments are well-established in the literature and were not developed specifically for our study. We have ensured appropriate citations to the original development studies in our manuscript [4,7,16,25,31,36].Although 14 of the 18 items asked within the scope of the scale included sequential responses questioning the participants’ mental state, four items included sequential responses for the participants to evaluate their mental state assuming that the participants had a serious disease. The Health Anxiety Scale is a self-report scale [25]. A minimum of “0” and a maximum of “54” points can be obtained from the scale. The scores obtained from the scale are positively correlated with the level of health anxiety [26]. It was determined that participants who reached the highest level of “54” on the scale were facing serious health anxiety. The health anxiety scale has no sub-dimensions. In the study of Salkovskis et al. [2002], who developed the scale, the reliability coefficient (α) was found to be .89. In this study, Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient for the health anxiety scale was .671.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"_Toc168516993\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eData Collection\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter the ethics committee and institutional permission were obtained for the study, the deans of the faculties were contacted for the students at A University during the 2022-2023 academic year and the students were interviewed at the most convenient time and time intervals. The students’ addresses or phone numbers were not requested, and the data were collected by the researcher using the face-to-face survey method on certain days of the week. In the face-to-face interviews, information was given to the students who met the inclusion criteria for the study, and the voluntary consent form was read. All students who accepted were included in the study. This process continued without any sample selection, taking into account the power analysis conducted to determine the sample size, aiming to reach the entire population.\u0026nbsp;The data were collected by the researchers in October 2023 by interviewing the students face-to-face. Filling out the survey forms took an average of 15-20 minutes. Before collecting the data, the participants were informed about the subject, purpose, and content of the data collection tools of the study. No participant was forced to participate in the study, and the principle of confidentiality was adhered to during the application and collection of the surveys.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"_Toc168516994\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVariables of the Study\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIndependent variables:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003ePersonal (i.e., socio-demographic, subjective) information consisting of questions such as age, sex, faculty, grade, etc. were the independent variables of this study.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDependent variables:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eThe total score of the Cyberchondria Severity Scale and the total score of the Health Anxiety Inventory (Short Version) were the dependent variables.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEvaluation of the Data\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe data evaluation was performed by using the SPSS 22 package program, using numbers, mean values, percentage distribution, standard deviation, Pearson Correlation Analysis, and One-Way ANOVA. The total score was obtained as the arithmetic sum of the items.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSkewnes-Kurtosis analyses were used to understand whether the data were suitable for normal distribution. A range of Skewnes-Kurtosis values between +1.96 and -1.96 is considered normal distribution [27]. The Skewnes (Skewness) and Kurtosis (Kurtosis) values of the Cyberchondria Severity Scale and Health Anxiety Scale variables were within the normal range ). It can be argued that all values of the scales showed normal distribution. Since these results showed that the data were suitable for normal distribution, parametric analyses were applied to data where the number of people in the group exceeded 30.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthical Principles of the Study\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe study complied with the ethical principles mentioned in the Declaration of Helsinki. Before starting the study, an ethics committee permit B.30.2.ATA.0.01.00/509 (permit number) was obtained from a university in a province in the east of Türkiye and an institutional permit E-95837745-100-2200026505 (permit number) was obtained from the relevant institution for the conduct of the study. Also, before starting the study, it was emphasized to the students that the study was voluntary, they were informed about the study, the conflict of interest protocol was explained to the participants and their verbal/written consent was obtained.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"RESULTS","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 1. Results regarding the descriptive characteristics of the university students included in the study (n=1296)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"100%\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eN\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e%\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSex\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e830\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e64.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e466\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e36.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"8\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAge\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e18 years and under\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e126\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e9.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e19 years old\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e248\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e19.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e20 years old\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e281\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e21.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e21 years old\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e293\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e22.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e22 years old\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e185\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e14.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAges 23 and over\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e163\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMin-Max\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e17-38\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eX\u0026plusmn;SD\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e20.67\u0026plusmn;2.02\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"6\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFaculty\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFaculty of Letters\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e342\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e26.4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFaculty of Science\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e164\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFaculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e162\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFaculty of Engineering and Architecture\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e325\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e25.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFaculty of Health Sciences\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e171\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e13.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFaculty of Sports Sciences\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e132\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"4\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eGrade\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1st grade\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e525\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e40.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2nd grade\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e432\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e33.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3rd grade\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e137\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4th grade\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e202\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e15.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHaving a chronic disease\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e402\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e31.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e894\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e69.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHaving a chronic disease in first-degree relatives\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e457\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e35.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e839\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e64.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"5\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTime spent on the internet\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1 hour or less\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e37\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1-2 hours\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e162\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2-3 hours\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e309\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e23.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3-4 hours\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e317\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e24.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4 hours and more\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e471\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e36.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"100%\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 1.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e(Continued)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eN\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e%\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFrequency of doing health-related study on the internet\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRarely\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e194\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e15.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSometimes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e680\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e52.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOften\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e422\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e32.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBelief in health-related information on the internet\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e647\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e49.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e649\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e50.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIf the information on the internet is not convincing, searching again\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e995\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e76.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e301\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e23.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSelf-diagnosis with information on the internet\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e579\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e44.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e717\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e55.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHow s/s/he feels about her health information searches on the internet\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eComfortable\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e425\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e32.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eConcerned\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e564\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e43.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo change in mood\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e307\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e23.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eGoing to the hospital to confirm the disease s/he thinks s/he might have as a result of searching for health information on the internet\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e788\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e60.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e508\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e39.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn Table 1, 64% of the university students included in the study are female, 22.6% are 21 years old, 14.3% are 22 years old, the age range is between 17 and 38 and the arithmetic mean is 20.67\u0026plusmn;2.02, 26.4% are students in the faculty of literature, 40.5% are first-year students, 31% have a chronic disease, 35.3% have a chronic disease in their first-degree relatives (mother, father, sibling), 36.3% spend 4 hours or more on the internet, 52.5% occasionally do study on health on the internet, 49.9% believe that the information they obtain as a result of their health-related study on the internet is accurate, 76.8% search again and again when they are not convinced by the results of their health-related study on the internet, 44.7% diagnose themselves with the information they obtain as a result of their health-related study on the internet, 32.8% feel comfortable as a result of their health-related study on the internet, 23.7% do not feel any change in their mood as a result of their health-related study on the internet, and 60.8% apply to the hospital to confirm the disease they think they may have as a result of their health information searches on the internet.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 2. Arithmetic mean and standard deviation values for\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCyberchondria Severity Scale and Health Anxiety Scale scores\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"100%\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMean\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSD\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCyberchondria Severity Scale\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e85.26\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e19.600\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eExcessive Anxiety\u0026nbsp;Sub-Dimension\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e20.56\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.011\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eExcessiveness\u0026nbsp;Sub-Dimension\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e25.13\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.609\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eReassurance\u0026nbsp;Sub-Dimension\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e17.95\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.198\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDistrust in the physician\u0026nbsp;Sub-Dimension\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.28\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.410\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHealth Anxiety Scale\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e32.36\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e5.513\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn Table 2, the mean score of the Cyberchondria Severity Scale sub-dimensions, Compulsion\u0026nbsp;Sub-Dimension, is 14.35\u0026plusmn;6.88, the mean score of the Excessive Anxiety\u0026nbsp;Sub- Dimension is 20.56\u0026plusmn;7.01, the mean score of the Excessiveness\u0026nbsp;Sub-Dimension is 25.13\u0026plusmn;6.61, the mean score of the Reassurance\u0026nbsp;Sub- Dimension is 17.95\u0026plusmn;5.20, and the mean score of the Distrust in the physician\u0026nbsp;Sub-Dimension is 7.28\u0026plusmn;3.41, the mean total score for the Cyberchondria Severity Scale is 85.26\u0026plusmn;19.60, and the mean total score for the Health Anxiety Scale is 32.36\u0026plusmn;5.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eTable 3. Correlation values between the students\u0026rsquo; Cyberchondria Severity Scale and Health Anxiety Scale\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv align=\"center\"\u003e\n \u003ctable border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"100%\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"2\" valign=\"bottom\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHealth Anxiety Scale\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCompulsion\u0026nbsp;Dimension\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eR\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.226**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eP\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.000\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eExcessive Anxiety\u0026nbsp;Dimension\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eR\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.030\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eP\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.286\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eExcessiveness\u0026nbsp;Dimension\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eR\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-.067*\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eP\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.015\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eReassurance\u0026nbsp;Dimension\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eR\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.011\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eP\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.681\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDistrust in the physician\u0026nbsp;Dimension\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eR\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.168**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eP\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e.000\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCyberchondria Severity Scale\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eR\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e.100**\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eP\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e.000\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n \u003c/table\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e* p\u0026lt;0.001 significant\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn Table 3, positive significant relationships were detected between the Cyberchondria Severity Scale\u0026nbsp;total score and the Compulsion\u0026nbsp;Sub-Dimension, Distrust in the physician Dimension and\u0026nbsp;Health Anxiety Scale at the significance level of p\u0026lt;0.05, and negative significant relationships were found between the Health Anxiety Scale and the Excessiveness\u0026nbsp;Dimension at the significance level of p\u0026lt;0.05. As a result, it can be argued that as the Health Anxiety Scale scores increase, the Compulsion\u0026nbsp;Dimension, Distrust in the physician\u0026nbsp;Dimension, and Cyberchondria Severity Scale scores also increase, while the Excessiveness\u0026nbsp;Dimension scores decrease.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 4. Linear Regression Analysis results regarding the prediction\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eof Cyberchondria Severity Scale scores on Health Anxiety Scale scores\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"100%\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eVariable\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eB\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eStandard Error\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBeta\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003et\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eP\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eConstant\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e30,513\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e,772\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e39,509\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e,000\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompulsion\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eDimension\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e,205\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e,039\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e,256\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5,219\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e,000\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExcessiveness\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eDimension\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-,086\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e,047\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-,103\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-1,833\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e,067\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDistrust in the physician\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eDimension\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e,194\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e,048\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e,120\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4,005\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e,000\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCyberchondria Severity Scale\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e-,004\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e,021\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e-,014\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e-,190\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e,850\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eR=,289\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eR2 =, \u003csup\u003e084\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eF \u003csub\u003e(4.1291)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/sub\u003e=29.448 p=.000\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Durbin-Watson (DW) Test was used to understand whether there was autocorrelation in the model. DW value was found as 1.808 and since this value was close to 2, it can be argued that there was no autocorrelation. For the multicollinearity problem, tolerance values were examined and it was seen that all tolerance values were greater than (1- R\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e). After it was found that there were no autocorrelation and multicollinearity problems, the analysis was continued.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"DISCUSSION","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe results of the study, which was conducted to examine the relationship between cyberchondria and health anxiety among university students, are discussed in this section in line with the relevant literature data.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen the study results were evaluated, based on the score obtained from the cyberchondria severity scale, the cyberchondria level of the students was found to be at a moderate level (Table 2). Similar to these results, in the study conducted by Tarhan et al. (2021) to determine the relationship between health literacy and cyberchondria levels across generations, which included 1196 individuals between the ages of 18-75 residing in Istanbul, the cyberchondria level was found to be at a moderate level [23]. Again, in the descriptive study conducted by Kartal \u0026amp; Leyla [2021] with volunteer students at all levels of the midwifery department of the faculty of health sciences of a state university, the cyberchondria level and associated factors of midwifery students in the presence of the COVID-19 pandemic were examined, and the cyberchondria level was found to be at a moderate level [28]. Tuna et al. [2023] conducted a study involving various faculties of a state university, aiming to examine the level of cyberchondria, health anxiety, and influencing factors in students, and the level of cyberchondria was found to be at a moderate level [6].\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn international studies, Aulia et al. [2020] examined cyberchondria levels in a study involving first-year medical students in Indonesia, and cyberchondria levels were found to be at a moderate level [29]. Khazaal et al. [2021] aimed to investigate cyberchondria and health-related compulsive internet use in a study conducted with individuals aged at least 18 who spoke English and lived in six different countries, and cyberchondria levels were found to be at a moderate level [30]. In this context, the study results are parallel to the relevant literature reports.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBased on the results of the present study, according to the score obtained from the health anxiety scale, the students’ scores were found to be above average (Table 2). In parallel with the results, the study conducted by Özdelikara et al. [2018] aimed to determine the perception of health, health anxiety, and related factors in nursing students, and the health anxiety level of the students was found to be above average [31].\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eContrary to the results of the present study, the study conducted by Özdin \u0026amp; Bayrak Özdin [2020] was conducted to review the levels of mental health and health anxiety in Turkey during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the score obtained from the health anxiety scale was found to be below the average [32]. Again, the study conducted by Özyıldız \u0026amp; Alkan [2022] was conducted to examine the correlation between the cyberchondria level and health anxiety of academics, and the health anxiety level of academics was found to be below the average [33]. This difference between the study results may be due to the different sample sizes, individual differences, temporal factors, demographic characteristics, and the difference in average age and marital status.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the present study, it was also found that as the Health Anxiety Scale scores increased, the Cyberchondria Severity Scale scores also increased, in other words, there were positive correlations between them (Table 3). In the study conducted domestically [34], the purpose was to describe the correlation between cyberchondria and health anxiety during the COVID-19 outbreak and the reflection of health anxiety on cyberchondria, and it was observed that there was a positive correlation in the relationship between cyberchondria and health anxiety. Also, it was concluded that health anxiety triggered cyberchondria, and the increase in health anxiety caused an increase in the level of cyberchondria [34]. Again, in the study conducted by Göde \u0026amp; Öztürk [2023], the purpose was to determine the reflection of the cyberchondria levels of university students on health anxiety, and it was concluded that as the cyberchondria action increased, health anxiety would also increase [35]. In the study conducted by Doğan et al. [2021] with students studying at two state universities in Kayseri, the purpose was to determine the reflection of pathological internet use and health anxiety on the act of cyberchondria, and as a result, it was determined that pathological internet use and health anxiety increased the levels of cyberchondria [36].\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the meta-analysis study conducted abroad by McMullan et al. [2019], it was reported that there were positive correlations between health anxiety and online health information search and between health anxiety and cyberchondria [10]. Also, the study conducted by Nadeem et al. [2022] was designed to review the connection between cyberchondria, health anxiety, and metacognitive beliefs, and revealed that metacognitive beliefs and health anxiety caused an increase in cyberchondria [37]. Santoro et al. [2022] also reported that the severity of somatic symptoms predicted an increased level of cyberchondria and that health anxiety mediated this connection [38]. Methods that help minimize health anxiety help reduce the risk of cyberchondria. The results of the study are parallel to the relevant literature on the relationship between health anxiety and cyberchondria.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn Table 4, the Compulsion Dimension, Excessiveness Dimension, Distrust in the Physician Dimension, and Cyberchondria Severity Scale variables have a significant relationship with the Health Anxiety Scale (R=.289, R2=.084, p\u0026lt;0.05). The Compulsion Dimension, Excessiveness Dimension, Distrust in the Physician Dimension, and Cyberchondria Severity Scale variables explain 8% of the total variance of the Health Anxiety Scale. According to the standardized regression coefficient (b), according to the predictor variable, Compulsion Dimension, Excessiveness Dimension, Distrust in the physician Dimension, and Cyberchondria Severity Scale variables were found to be effective. When the t-test results regarding the significance of the regression coefficients are examined, it is seen that Compulsion Dimension and Distrust in the physician Dimension variables are significant predictors of Health Anxiety.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS","content":"\u003cp\u003eIn the present study, which was conducted to examine the relationship between cyberchondria and health anxiety of university students, the following results were reached.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eThe Cyberchondria Severity Scale scores of the university students participating in the study were above average.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eStudents’ Health Anxiety Scale scores were above average.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eCyberchondria Severity Scale variables affect Health Anxiety.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eCyberchondria Severity Scale variables were found to be a significant predictor of Health Anxiety, indicating that cyberchondria might increase health anxiety.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBased on these results, the following recommendations are made.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eTraining and information programs should be organized in universities to increase awareness of cyberchondria and health anxiety, and students must be taught to be careful when searching for healthcare information on the internet and reliable sources of information.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003ePsychological counseling and support services for students at universities should be strengthened and students experiencing cyberchondria and health anxiety should be taught to manage their anxiety by benefiting from such services.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eCourses should be added to the curricula or additional programs, and these courses should teach how to access accurate and reliable health information to increase students’ digital health literacy.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eTraining projects should be planned and implemented to raise awareness in the field of school health nursing, which is an important area of public health nursing.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eTopics to increase awareness of cyberchondria and health anxiety should be added to the public healthcare nursing curricula.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eImpact on Clinical Practice:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe findings of this study underscore a significant correlation between cyberchondria and health anxiety among university students, offering critical insights for clinical practice. Healthcare professionals should be cognizant of the potential for patients to experience heightened anxiety due to extensive online health information searches, leading to unnecessary medical consultations and diagnostic procedures. This phenomenon not only places additional strain on healthcare resources but also contributes to increased healthcare costs.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn clinical settings, it is imperative for healthcare providers to assess patients' online health information-seeking behaviors and address any resultant anxieties. Engaging in open dialogues about the credibility of online medical content can help mitigate unwarranted fears. Furthermore, guiding patients towards reputable and accurate online health resources can empower them to make informed decisions without unnecessary distress.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy integrating discussions about cyberchondria into patient assessments and providing appropriate counseling, clinicians can enhance patient education, reduce health-related anxieties, and promote more effective utilization of healthcare services. This proactive approach is essential in adapting to the evolving digital landscape and its impact on patient behavior.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLimitations and Strengths of the Study\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLimitations:\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSample Diversity:\u003c/em\u003e The study was confined to students from a single university, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to a broader population.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCross-Sectional Design:\u003c/em\u003e The cross-sectional nature of the study precludes the establishment of causal relationships between cyberchondria and health anxiety.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eStrengths:\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLarge Sample Size\u003c/em\u003e: The inclusion of 1,296 students enhances the statistical power and reliability of the findings.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eValidated Instruments:\u003c/em\u003e Utilizing established scales like the \"Cyberchondria Severity Scale\" and the \"Health Anxiety Inventory\" ensures the reliability and validity of the measurements.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eContemporary Relevance:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003eAddressing the relationship between cyberchondria and health anxiety among university students contributes valuable insights to current discussions on mental health in the digital age.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Abbreviations","content":"\u003cp\u003eNot applicable\u003c/p\u003e\n"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthics approval and consent to participate\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe study complied with the ethical principles mentioned in the Declaration of Helsinki. Before starting the study, an ethics committee permit B.30.2.ATA.0.01.00/509 (permit number) was obtained from a university in a province in the east of Türkiye and an institutional permit E-95837745-100-2200026505 (permit number) was obtained from the relevant institution for the conduct of the study. Also, before starting the study, it was emphasized to the students that the study was voluntary, they were informed about the study, the conflict of interest protocol was explained to the participants and their verbal/written consent was obtained.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConsent for publication\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot applicable.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailability of data and materials\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot applicable (this manuscript does not report data generation or analysis).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompeting Interests\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors declare no competing interests.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunding\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthors' contributions\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.Study design: A.A., N.K. 2. Data collection: A.A., N.K. \u0026nbsp;3. Data analysis: N.K. 4. Study supervision: N.K. 5. Manuscript writing: N.K., A.A. 6. Critical revisions for important intellectual content: N.K.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAcknowledgments\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis study was conducted as a Master's thesis in the Department of Public Health Nursing at the Institute of Health Sciences, Erzurum Technical University\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConflict of Interest Statement\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors declare no conflicts of interest.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eClinical trial number\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot applicable\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHuman Ethics and Consent to Participate Declarations\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot applicable\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMcCartney G, Popham F, McMaster R, Cumbers A: \u003cstrong\u003eDefining health and health inequalities. \u003c/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003ePublic Health. \u003c/em\u003e2019;172:22-30.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVan der Linden R, Schermer M: \u003cstrong\u003eHealth and disease as practical concepts: exploring function in context-specific definitions.\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eMedicine, Health Care and Philosophy\u003c/em\u003e. 2022;\u003cstrong\u003e25\u003c/strong\u003e(1):131-40.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTarhan N: \u003cstrong\u003eDoğru bir politika \u0026uuml;retemezsek Z kuşağı kayıp kuşak olacak.\u003c/strong\u003e Bağımlılık, sanal veya ger\u0026ccedil;ek bağımlılıkla başa \u0026ccedil;ıkma (7 Baskı) İstanbul: Timaş Yayınları. 2020.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKalmaz A, Temel M: \u003cstrong\u003eKronik Hastalığı Olan ve Olmayan Bireylerde Akılcı İla\u0026ccedil; Kullanımı, Sağlık Anksiyetesi ve Siberkondri. \u003c/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003eAdnan Menderes \u0026Uuml;niversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Fak\u0026uuml;ltesi Dergisi. \u003c/em\u003e2024;\u003cstrong\u003e8\u003c/strong\u003e(1):42-54.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eG\u0026ouml;de A, \u0026Ouml;zt\u0026uuml;rk YE: \u003cstrong\u003e\u0026Uuml;niversite \u0026Ouml;ğrencilerinin Siberkondri D\u0026uuml;zeylerinin Sağlık Kaygısı \u0026Uuml;zerine Etkisinin İncelenmesi. \u003c/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003eSel\u0026ccedil;uk Sağlık Dergisi. \u003c/em\u003e2023;\u003cstrong\u003e4\u003c/strong\u003e(Kongre \u0026Ouml;zel):1-17.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKartal YA, Kaya L:\u003cstrong\u003e COVID-19 salgininda ebelik \u0026ouml;ğrencilerinin siberkondri d\u0026uuml;zeyleri ve etkileyen fakt\u0026ouml;rlerin incelenmesi. \u003c/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003eSamsun Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi,\u003c/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e 6(\u003c/strong\u003e3), 541-555.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBati AH, Mandiracioglu A, Govsa F, \u0026Ccedil;am O: \u003cstrong\u003eHealth anxiety and cyberchondria among Ege University health science students.\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eNurse Education Today. \u003c/em\u003e2018;71:169-73.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBahadır E: \u003cstrong\u003e\u0026Ccedil;evrimi\u0026ccedil;i sağlık arama davranışı (siberkondri) \u0026uuml;zerine bir g\u0026ouml;zden ge\u0026ccedil;irme. \u003c/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003eKlinik Psikoloji Dergisi.\u003c/em\u003e 2021;\u003cstrong\u003e5\u003c/strong\u003e(1):79-85.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLiu S, Yang H, Cheng M, Miao T: \u003cstrong\u003eFamily dysfunction and cyberchondria among Chinese adolescents: A moderated mediation model. \u003c/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003eInternational Journal of Environmental Research And Public Health. \u003c/em\u003e2022;\u003cstrong\u003e19\u003c/strong\u003e(15):9716.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMcMullan RD, Berle D, Arn\u0026aacute;ez S, Starcevic V: \u003cstrong\u003eThe relationships between health anxiety, online health information seeking, and cyberchondria: Systematic review and meta-analysis\u003c/strong\u003e. \u003cem\u003eJournal of Affective Disorders. \u003c/em\u003e2019;245:270-8.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eErdoğan A, Hocaoğlu \u0026Ccedil;: \u003cstrong\u003eEnfeksiyon hastalıklarının ve pandeminin psikiyatrik y\u0026ouml;n\u0026uuml;: Bir g\u0026ouml;zden ge\u0026ccedil;irme.\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eKlinik Psikiyatri Dergisi.\u003c/em\u003e 2020;\u003cstrong\u003e23(\u003c/strong\u003e1):72-80.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMathes BM, Norr AM, Allan NP, Albanese BJ, Schmidt NB: \u003cstrong\u003eCyberchondria: Overlap with health anxiety and unique relations with impairment, quality of life, and service utilization. \u003c/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003ePsychiatry Research.\u003c/em\u003e 2018;261:204-11.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u0026Ccedil;apık C: İ\u003cstrong\u003estatistiksel g\u0026uuml;\u0026ccedil; analizi ve hemşirelik araştırmalarında kullanımı: temel bilgiler. \u003c/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003eAnadolu Hemşirelik ve Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi. \u003c/em\u003e2014:268-74.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBrooks SK, Webster RK, Smith LE, Woodland L, Wessely S, Greenberg N, et al: \u003cstrong\u003eThe psychological impact of quarantine and how to reduce it: rapid review of the evidence. \u003c/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Lancet. \u003c/em\u003e2020;\u003cstrong\u003e395\u003c/strong\u003e(10227):912-20.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHuang Y, Zhao N: \u003cstrong\u003eGeneralized anxiety disorder, depressive symptoms and sleep quality during COVID-19 outbreak in China: a web-based cross-sectional survey.\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003ePsychiatry research.\u003c/em\u003e 2020;288:112954.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOkuyan CB, Karasu F, Polat F: \u003cstrong\u003eHemşirelik \u0026ouml;ğrencilerinin Covid-19\u0026rsquo;a maruz kalma korkularının sağlık kaygısı d\u0026uuml;zeyleri \u0026uuml;zerine etkisi: Bir \u0026uuml;niversite \u0026ouml;rneği. \u003c/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003eVan Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi. \u003c/em\u003e2020;\u003cstrong\u003e13\u003c/strong\u003e(COVID-19 \u0026Ouml;zel Sayı):45-52.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWang C, Horby PW, Hayden FG, Gao GF: \u003cstrong\u003eA novel coronavirus outbreak of global health concern. \u003c/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Lancet. \u003c/em\u003e2020;\u003cstrong\u003e395\u003c/strong\u003e(10223):470-3.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBaykal E: \u003cstrong\u003eCOVID-19 Bağlaminda Psikolojik Dayaniklilik, Kaygi ve Yaşam Doyum İlişkisi.\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eInternational Journal of Social and Economic Sciences. \u003c/em\u003e2020;\u003cstrong\u003e10\u003c/strong\u003e(2):68-80.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBou-Hamad I, Hoteit R, Harajli D: \u003cstrong\u003eHealth worries, life satisfaction, and social well-being concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic: insights from Lebanon. \u003c/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003ePlos One. \u003c/em\u003e2021;\u003cstrong\u003e16\u003c/strong\u003e(7):e0254989.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDuong CD: \u003cstrong\u003eThe impact of fear and anxiety of Covid-19 on life satisfaction: Psychological distress and sleep disturbance as mediators.\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003ePersonality and Individual Differences.\u003c/em\u003e 2021;178:110869.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKarabağ Aydın A, Fidan H: \u003cstrong\u003eThe effect of nurses' death anxiety on life satisfaction during the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey. \u003c/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003eJournal of Religion And Health. \u003c/em\u003e2022;\u003cstrong\u003e61\u003c/strong\u003e(1):811-26.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUzun SU, Zencir M: \u003cstrong\u003eCyberchondria and associated factors among university staff. \u003c/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003eEST\u0026Uuml;DAM Halk Sağlığı Dergisi. \u003c/em\u003e2022;\u003cstrong\u003e7\u003c/strong\u003e(2):257-68.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTarhan N, Tutgun-\u0026uuml;nal A, Ekinci Y: \u003cstrong\u003eYeni kuşak hastalığı siberkondri: Yeni medya \u0026ccedil;ağında kuşakların siberkondri d\u0026uuml;zeyleri ile sağlık okuryazarlığı ilişkisi. \u003c/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003eOPUS International Journal of Society Researches. \u003c/em\u003e2021;\u003cstrong\u003e17\u003c/strong\u003e(37):4253-97.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUzun SU, \u0026Ouml;zdemir C, Zencir M: \u003cstrong\u003ePamukkale \u0026Uuml;niversitesi \u0026ouml;ğrencilerinin tuz kullanımı ile ilgili bilgi, tutum ve davranışları.\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eFırat Tıp Dergisi.\u003c/em\u003e 2016.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAydemir \u0026Ouml;, Kirpinar I, Sati T, Uykur B, Cengisiz C: \u003cstrong\u003eSağlık Anksiyetesi \u0026Ouml;l\u0026ccedil;eği'nin T\u0026uuml;rk\u0026ccedil;e i\u0026ccedil;in G\u0026uuml;venilirlik ve Ge\u0026ccedil;erlilik \u0026Ccedil;alışması.\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eArchives of Neuropsychiatry/N\u0026ouml;ropsikiyatri Arşivi. \u003c/em\u003e2013;\u003cstrong\u003e50\u003c/strong\u003e(4).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u0026Ccedil;evik S, \u0026Ccedil;ıtlık Sarıtaş S: \u003cstrong\u003eMiyokard infarkt\u0026uuml;s\u0026uuml; ge\u0026ccedil;iren hastalarda sağlık anksiyetesinin uyku kalitesine etkisi.\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eKardiyovask\u0026uuml;ler Hemşirelik Dergisi.\u003c/em\u003e 2020;\u003cstrong\u003e11\u003c/strong\u003e(24):16-22.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGeorge D: \u003cstrong\u003eSPSS for windows step by step: A simple study guide and reference, \u003c/strong\u003e17.0 update, 10/e: Pearson Education India; 2011.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBelli, M. . \u003cstrong\u003eThe effect of coronavirus fear on cyberchondria level in students studying in the field of health.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003eTurkish Journal of Health Science and Life\u003c/em\u003e. 2022;\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e5\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e(2), 142-151.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAulia A, Marchira CR, Supriyanto I, Pratiti B. \u003cstrong\u003eCyberchondria in first year medical students of Yogyakarta. \u003c/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003eJournal of Consumer Health on the Internet. \u003c/em\u003e2020;\u003cstrong\u003e24\u003c/strong\u003e(1):1-9.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKhazaal Y, Chatton A, Rochat L, Hede V, Viswasam K, Penzenstadler L, et al: \u003cstrong\u003eCompulsive health-related internet use and cyberchondria.\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eEuropean Addiction Research. \u003c/em\u003e2021;\u003cstrong\u003e27\u003c/strong\u003e(1):58-66.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u0026Ouml;zdelikara A, Alkan SA, Mumcu N: \u003cstrong\u003eHemşirelik \u0026ouml;ğrencilerinde sağlık algısı, sağlık anksiyetesi ve etkileyen fakt\u0026ouml;rlerin belirlenmesi. \u003c/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003eBakırk\u0026ouml;y Tıp Dergisi.\u003c/em\u003e 2018;\u003cstrong\u003e14\u003c/strong\u003e(3):275-82.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u0026Ouml;zdin S, Bayrak \u0026Ouml;zdin Ş: \u003cstrong\u003eLevels and predictors of anxiety, depression and health anxiety during COVID-19 pandemic in Turkish society: The importance of gender. \u003c/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003eInternational Journal of Social Psychiatry. \u003c/em\u003e2020;\u003cstrong\u003e66\u003c/strong\u003e(5):504-11.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u0026Ouml;zyıldız KH, Alkan A: \u003cstrong\u003eAkademisyenlerin sağlık anksiyeteleri ile siberkondri d\u0026uuml;zeyleri arasındaki ilişkinin incelenmesine y\u0026ouml;nelik bir araştırma.\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eS\u0026uuml;leyman Demirel \u0026Uuml;niversitesi Vizyoner Dergisi.\u003c/em\u003e 2022;\u003cstrong\u003e13\u003c/strong\u003e(33):309-24.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDoğanyiğit PB, Ke\u0026ccedil;eligil HT: \u003cstrong\u003eCovid-19 pandemi s\u0026uuml;recinde bireylerin sağlık kaygılarının siberkondri \u0026uuml;zerindeki etkisi.\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eCelal Bayar \u0026Uuml;niversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Enstit\u0026uuml;s\u0026uuml; Dergisi.\u003c/em\u003e 2022;\u003cstrong\u003e9\u003c/strong\u003e(3):355-62.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eG\u0026ouml;de A, \u0026Ouml;zt\u0026uuml;rk YE: \u003cstrong\u003e\u0026Uuml;niversite \u0026Ouml;ğrencilerinin Siberkondri D\u0026uuml;zeylerinin Sağlik Kaygisi \u0026Uuml;zerine Etkisinin İncelenmesi.\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eSel\u0026ccedil;uk Sağlık Dergisi\u003c/em\u003e. 2023;\u003cstrong\u003e4\u003c/strong\u003e(Kongre \u0026Ouml;zel):1-17.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDoğan S, Acar F, Doğan TGB: \u003cstrong\u003eİnternet bağımlılığı ve sağlık anksiyetesinin siberkondria davranışları \u0026uuml;zerine etkisi. \u003c/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003eErciyes Akademi. \u003c/em\u003e2021;\u003cstrong\u003e35\u003c/strong\u003e(1):281-98.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNadeem F, Malik NI, Atta M, Ullah I, Martinotti G, Pettorruso M, et al: \u003cstrong\u003eRelationship between health-anxiety and cyberchondria: Role of metacognitive beliefs.\u003c/strong\u003e J\u003cem\u003eournal of Clinical Medicine. \u003c/em\u003e2022;\u003cstrong\u003e11\u003c/strong\u003e(9):2590.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSantoro G, Starcevic V, Scalone A, Cavallo J, Musetti A, Schimmenti A: \u003cstrong\u003eThe doctor is in (ternet): the mediating role of health anxiety in the relationship between somatic symptoms and cyberchondria. \u003c/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003eJournal of Personalized Medicine.\u003c/em\u003e 2022;\u003cstrong\u003e12\u003c/strong\u003e(9):1490.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"bmc-public-health","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"pubh","sideBox":"Learn more about [BMC Public Health](http://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"https://www.editorialmanager.com/pubh/default.aspx","title":"BMC Public Health","twitterHandle":"@BMC_series","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"BMC Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Cyberchondria, health anxiety, Internet addiction, Nursing, University students","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6224682/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-6224682/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBackground: \u003c/strong\u003eIn today's digital era, university students frequently utilize the internet to seek health-related information. This behavior, while potentially informative, can lead to excessive online searches, resulting in heightened health anxiety—a phenomenon termed \"cyberchondria.\" Understanding the relationship between cyberchondria and health anxiety is essential, as both can significantly impact students' well-being and academic performance.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMethods:\u003c/strong\u003e The study was designed to be descriptive and relationship-seeking. The study was conducted with 1296 students studying at A University between October 2023 and June 2024. “Personal Data Form”, “Cyberchondria Severity Scale” and “Health Anxiety Inventory” were used to collect data. Data was collected by face-to-face survey method after obtaining the necessary permissions.The data evaluation was performed by using the SPSS 22 package program, using numbers, mean values, percentage distribution, standard deviation, Pearson Correlation Analysis, and One-Way ANOVA.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eResults:\u003c/strong\u003e The mean Cyberchondria Severity Scale score was 85.26±19.60, indicating a moderate level of cyberchondria among students. The mean Health Anxiety Inventory score was 32.36±5.51, suggesting above-average health anxiety. A significant positive correlation was found between Cyberchondria Severity Scale and Health Anxiety Inventory scores (p\u0026lt;0.05). Further analysis revealed that health anxiety accounted for 8% of the variance in cyberchondria severity.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConclusion:\u003c/strong\u003e The findings indicate that higher health anxiety is associated with increased cyberchondria among university students. Developing awareness programs to help students manage online health information-seeking behaviors is recommended.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"The Relationship Between Cyberchondria and Health Anxiety in University Students","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-05-30 06:42:10","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6224682/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"decision","content":"Revision requested","date":"2025-10-24T07:46:10+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-06-20T14:49:10+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"116166152032138204223249409134671018349","date":"2025-06-15T08:04:22+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-06-12T19:08:17+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"206820751070962709938537633229049598401","date":"2025-06-10T20:18:42+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"139992611107985864128660142501776457190","date":"2025-06-10T15:16:20+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-06-10T11:52:50+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-06-08T07:38:16+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"235446324067379877798265561321199538104","date":"2025-06-08T03:51:54+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"66878227654083269160741834053671718523","date":"2025-06-04T17:51:44+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"329985012170793263822678060435110444042","date":"2025-06-03T18:38:34+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2025-05-28T10:23:08+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2025-05-27T08:11:17+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvited","content":"","date":"2025-03-23T10:16:25+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2025-03-20T09:09:58+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"BMC Public Health","date":"2025-03-20T09:08:50+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"bmc-public-health","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"pubh","sideBox":"Learn more about [BMC Public Health](http://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"https://www.editorialmanager.com/pubh/default.aspx","title":"BMC Public Health","twitterHandle":"@BMC_series","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"BMC Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"a348f14c-6c8c-42c3-a7b7-a9ee20fbe052","owner":[],"postedDate":"May 30th, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"under-review","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2025-11-06T08:23:27+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2025-05-30 06:42:10","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-6224682","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-6224682","identity":"rs-6224682","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}