Cyberchondria: a systematic review

Abstract

PurposeCyberchondria describes excessive or repeated online health-related information seeking associated with an increased level of health anxiety. Given the nascent nature of the concept of cyberchondria, this systematic review attempts to summarize the current landscape of cyberchondria research.Design/methodology/approachBased on a comprehensive search and systematic filtering process, 40 articles were included in the final sample.FindingsCharacteristics of these articles, measures of cyberchondria and factors related to cyberchondria were reported. This review found that the measures of cyberchondria are still in the developmental stages and thus require further validation in future studies. In addition, while studies have examined various factors associated with cyberchondria, the detailed processes involved in the development of cyberchondria require further conceptualization.Originality/valueThe contributions of this review are threefold: first, it presented a comprehensive overview of studies on cyberchondria by addressing their key characteristics such as country of study, sample size and research method. Second, this review analyzed major assessment tools of cyberchondria to offer useful guidance on future investigations on cyberchondria. Third, it identified important antecedents and consequences of cyberchondria in previous research, which contributes to theoretical understanding of how cyberchondria develops.

How does information overload about COVID-19 vaccines influence individuals’ vaccination intentions? The roles of cyberchondria, perceived risk, and vaccine skepticism

“…People can easily access health and medical information on the internet, which not only provides benefits, but also creates potential harm. Anxiety about health can be formed due to excessive searches for health and medical information ( Zheng, Sin, Kim, & Theng, 2021 ). This phenomenon is known as cyberchondria, a combination of ‘cyber’ (i.e., from cyberspace) and ‘hypochondria’ (excessive anxiety about a health condition) ( Hart & Bjorgvinsson, 2010 ; Starcevic & Berle, 2013 ; 2015 ) and can be defined as anxious thoughts and feelings about health-related to excessive searches for medical information on internet.…”

“…This phenomenon is known as cyberchondria, a combination of ‘cyber’ (i.e., from cyberspace) and ‘hypochondria’ (excessive anxiety about a health condition) ( Hart & Bjorgvinsson, 2010 ; Starcevic & Berle, 2013 ; 2015 ) and can be defined as anxious thoughts and feelings about health-related to excessive searches for medical information on internet. It is triggered by the urge to find further reading on medical or health topics, such as the COVID-19 pandemic ( Farooq et al, 2020 ; Laato, Islam, Islam, & Whelan, 2020 ; Zheng et al, 2021 ).…”

Review of social media intervention in adult population during COVID-19 pandemic based on Protection Motivation Theory

“…An obsessive online investigate for health information, commonly regarding certain symptoms which is called as cyberchondria [24]. Cyberchondria term is originated from the name "cyber" and "hypochondriasis", it is shape of hypochondriasis link to each other with the internet or personal computer use, even induced by it [25], [26]. At times of insurance such as the current pandemic, an increased number of cases of cyberchondria should be predicted to appear.…”

Guest editorial: The bright side and the dark side of digital health

“…Digital health includes a lot of advanced technologies, such as mobile health (mHealth), health information technology (HIT), wearable devices, service medical robots, artificial intelligence (AI), telehealth and telemedicine, health data analytics and personalized medicine (Lupton, 2017). These technologies offer new exciting opportunities to improve medical outcomes, enhance healthcare efficiency and balance health resources.In particular, digital health can better collect, process and analyze health-related information and provide decision support for patients, doctors, healthcare organizations, public health management and medical research (Guha and Kumar, 2018;Zheng et al, 2021). There are many positive and negative issues associated with the use of digital health.…”

“…In particular, digital health can better collect, process and analyze health-related information and provide decision support for patients, doctors, healthcare organizations, public health management and medical research (Guha and Kumar, 2018;Zheng et al, 2021). There are many positive and negative issues associated with the use of digital health.…”