The Role of Health Anxiety in the Relationship Between E-Health Literacy and Cyberchondria

Begüm Yalçın

Article Details

The Role of Health Anxiety in the Relationship Between E-Health Literacy and Cyberchondria

Authors:

Begüm Yalçın

Publisher:

Tokat Gaziosmanpasa University

Main Topics:

Sağlık Okuryazarlığı | Dijital Sağlık | Sağlık Yönetimi

Journal:

TOGÜ Erbaa Sağlık ve Yönetim Dergisi Vol.2 Issue 1, pp.1-21

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

6/2025

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001352872

pISSN:

3062-1372

Keywords:

Abstract:

 In recent times, the expansion of digital health information sources has significantly influenced individuals health-related concerns and their activities in seeking medical information. This situation underscores the need for a more detailed investigation into the relationships between e-health literacy, cyberchondria, and health anxiety. This study investigated the role of health anxiety in the relationship between individuals e-health literacy and the severity of cyberchondria. To achieve this objective, data were collected through an electronic survey administered to 385 participants aged 18 to 65 residing in Istanbul. The study utilized the e-Health Literacy Scale eHEALS, the Cyberchondria Severity Scale CSS, and the Health Anxiety Inventory HAI as data collection instruments. To assess the structural validity of the dataset, normality analysis, confirmatory factor analysis CFA, and reliability analysis were conducted. Hypothesis testing was performed using correlation analysis, while path analysis and mediation testing were conducted through Structural Equation Modeling SEM. The research findings indicate that health anxiety plays a mediating role in the relationship between e-health literacy and cyberchondria. Accordingly, individuals with high e-health literacy experience reduced health anxiety, which in turn leads to a decrease in their cyberchondria levels. The integration of these three variables within the model has facilitated an enhanced understanding of their interaction dynamics, providing a significant methodological contribution to the literature. Furthermore, the research offers a valuable guide for healthcare professionals and policymakers, suggesting that enhancing e-health literacy can encourage individuals to adopt healthier behaviors during the digital health information search process.

 In recent times, the expansion of digital health information sources has significantly influenced individuals health-related concerns and their activities in seeking medical information. This situation underscores the need for a more detailed investigation into the relationships between e-health literacy, cyberchondria, and health anxiety. This study investigated the role of health anxiety in the relationship between individuals e-health literacy and the severity of cyberchondria. To achieve this objective, data were collected through an electronic survey administered to 385 participants aged 18 to 65 residing in Istanbul. The study utilized the e-Health Literacy Scale eHEALS, the Cyberchondria Severity Scale CSS, and the Health Anxiety Inventory HAI as data collection instruments. To assess the structural validity of the dataset, normality analysis, confirmatory factor analysis CFA, and reliability analysis were conducted. Hypothesis testing was performed using correlation analysis, while path analysis and mediation testing were conducted through Structural Equation Modeling SEM. The research findings indicate that health anxiety plays a mediating role in the relationship between e-health literacy and cyberchondria. Accordingly, individuals with high e-health literacy experience reduced health anxiety, which in turn leads to a decrease in their cyberchondria levels. The integration of these three variables within the model has facilitated an enhanced understanding of their interaction dynamics, providing a significant methodological contribution to the literature. Furthermore, the research offers a valuable guide for healthcare professionals and policymakers, suggesting that enhancing e-health literacy can encourage individuals to adopt healthier behaviors during the digital health information search process.

 In recent times, the expansion of digital health information sources has significantly influenced individuals health-related concerns and their activities in seeking medical information. This situation underscores the need for a more detailed investigation into the relationships between e-health literacy, cyberchondria, and health anxiety. This study investigated the role of health anxiety in the relationship between individuals e-health literacy and the severity of cyberchondria. To achieve this objective, data were collected through an electronic survey administered to 385 participants aged 18 to 65 residing in Istanbul. The study utilized the e-Health Literacy Scale eHEALS, the Cyberchondria Severity Scale CSS, and the Health Anxiety Inventory HAI as data collection instruments. To assess the structural validity of the dataset, normality analysis, confirmatory factor analysis CFA, and reliability analysis were conducted. Hypothesis testing was performed using correlation analysis, while path analysis and mediation testing were conducted through Structural Equation Modeling SEM. The research findings indicate that health anxiety plays a mediating role in the relationship between e-health literacy and cyberchondria. Accordingly, individuals with high e-health literacy experience reduced health anxiety, which in turn leads to a decrease in their cyberchondria levels. The integration of these three variables within the model has facilitated an enhanced understanding of their interaction dynamics, providing a significant methodological contribution to the literature. Furthermore, the research offers a valuable guide for healthcare professionals and policymakers, suggesting that enhancing e-health literacy can encourage individuals to adopt healthier behaviors during the digital health information search process.

 Günümüzde dijital sağlık bilgi kaynaklarının yaygınlaşması, bireylerin sağlıkla ilgili kaygılarını ve bilgi arama davranışlarını önemli ölçüde etkilemektedir. Bu durum, e-sağlık okuryazarlığı, siberkondri ve sağlık anksiyetesi arasındaki ilişkilerin daha derinlemesine incelenmesini gerekli kılmaktadır. Bu araştırmada, bireylerin e-sağlık okuryazarlığı ile siberkondri ciddiyeti arasındaki ilişkide sağlık anksiyetesinin rolü incelenmiştir. Bu amaç doğrultusunda, İstanbulda yaşayan 18-65 yaş aralığındaki 385 katılımcıya elektronik anket yöntemiyle ulaşılarak veriler toplanmıştır. Araştırmada veri toplama aracı olarak E-Sağlık Okuryazarlığı Ölçeği eHEALS, Siberkondri Ciddiyet Ölçeği CSS ve Sağlık Anksiyetesi Envanteri HAI kullanılmıştır. Elde edilen verilerin yapısal geçerliliğini belirlemek amacıyla normallik analizi, doğrulayıcı faktör analizi DFA ve güvenirlik analizi uygulanmıştır. Hipotezlerin test edilmesi için korelasyon analizi gerçekleştirilmiş; yol analizi ve aracılık etkisinin incelenmesi için Yapısal Eşitlik Modellemesinden YEM yararlanılmıştır. Araştırma bulguları, sağlık anksiyetesinin e-sağlık okuryazarlığı ile siberkondri arasındaki ilişkide aracı bir değişken olarak rol oynadığını ortaya koymaktadır. Buna göre, yüksek e-sağlık okuryazarlığına sahip olan bireylerin sağlık anksiyetesi düzeyleri azalmakta ve bu durum bireylerin siberkondri eğilimlerini düşürmektedir. Model kapsamında bu üç değişkenin birlikte ele alınması, aralarındaki etkileşim dinamiklerinin anlaşılmasını sağlamış ve literatüre önemli bir metodolojik katkı sunmuştur. Ayrıca, araştırma sağlık profesyonelleri ve politika yapıcılar için e-sağlık okuryazarlığının artırılmasının, bireylerin dijital sağlık bilgi arayışı süreçlerinde daha sağlıklı davranışlar sergilemelerine katkı sağlayabileceğine dair önemli bir rehber niteliği taşımaktadır.

Article Details

The Role of Health Anxiety in the Relationship Between E-Health Literacy and Cyberchondria

Authors:

Begüm Yalçın

Publisher:

Tokat Gaziosmanpasa University

Main Topics:

Sağlık Okuryazarlığı | Dijital Sağlık | Sağlık Yönetimi

Journal:

TOGÜ Erbaa Sağlık ve Yönetim Dergisi Vol.2 Issue 1, pp.1-21

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

6/2025

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001352872

pISSN:

3062-1372

E-health literacy

Cyberchondria

Health anxiety.E-sağlık okuryazarlığı

Siberkondri

Sağlık anksiyetesi

Issues

Article Details

The Role of Health Anxiety in the Relationship Between E-Health Literacy and Cyberchondria

Authors: Begüm Yalçın

Publisher: Tokat Gaziosmanpasa University

Main Topics: Sağlık Okuryazarlığı | Dijital Sağlık | Sağlık Yönetimi

Journal: TOGÜ Erbaa Sağlık ve Yönetim Dergisi Vol.2 Issue 1, pp.1-21

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 6/2025

Document Language: English

Document ID (Org No.): 2001352872

pISSN: 3062-1372

E-health literacy

Cyberchondria

Health anxiety.E-sağlık okuryazarlığı

Siberkondri

Sağlık anksiyetesi

Issues

Authors:

Begüm Yalçın

Publisher:

Tokat Gaziosmanpasa University

Main Topics:

Sağlık Okuryazarlığı | Dijital Sağlık | Sağlık Yönetimi

Journal:

TOGÜ Erbaa Sağlık ve Yönetim Dergisi Vol.2 Issue 1, pp.1-21

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

6/2025

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001352872

pISSN:

3062-1372