Cyberchondria and Health Anxiety among Adolescents

This study examines cyberchondria and health anxiety among adolescents. Cyberchondria is conceptualized as a pattern of excessive and recurring online searches for medical information online, which may increase anxiety and distress and reinforcing a cycle of reassurance seeking behaviour. Convenience sampling was used to select 100 adolescents aged 13-19 years who were readily accessible and willing to participate in the study. Health anxiety involves continuous apprehension about possessing or contracting a severe disease, even in the absence of medical support for such concerns. Cyberchondria is positively associated with health anxiety, leading to persistent health concerns without medical evidence, which can impact both the individual and society. The study examined 100 adolescents (ages 13-19) using the cyberchondria severity scale (McElroy and Shevlin,2016) and the Short Health Anxiety Inventory -18 to assess cyberchondria and health anxiety. Correlation and t-test were employed for statistical analysis. The results demonstrated a statistically significant positive correlation between cyberchondria and health anxiety, and gender wise difference were also found to be significant.