Abstract:

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the effect of university students' cyberchondria levels on health anxiety. Methods: In line with the determined purpose, the data were collected online by questionnaire method in accordance with the quantitative research design. Personal information form, “Cyberchondria Scale” and “Health Anxiety Scale” were used to obtain the data of the study. The research was carried out with the convenience sampling method. In the analyzes made to determine that the data obtained were normally distributed, t-test, ANOVA, pearson correlation and simple linear regression analyzes were applied in independent groups. Results: 556 students participated in the study. Of the people who agreed to participate, 71.8% were women and 28.2% were men. It was determined that 45.7% of the participants were between the ages of 18-19, 43.5% were between the ages of 20-21 and 10.8% were between the ages of 22 and over. It was stated that 92.8% of the students did not have a chronic illness, and 7.2% of them had a chronic illness. He also stated that 91.7% of them did not use a regular medication, while 8.3% of them used a regular medication. It was determined that 43.2% of the students spent 0-3 hours, 45.5% 4-6 hours, and 11.3% spent 7 hours or more on the internet. Conclusion: As a result of the research, it was determined that the cyberchondria of the students participating in the research had a statistically significant and positive effect on the health anxiety level. As a result of these results, it is predicted that the level of health anxiety will increase as the cyberchondria behavior increases.

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