CYBERCHONDRIA IN THE DIGITAL AGE: AGE-COHORT DIFFERENCES IN ONLINE HEALTH ANXIETY AMONG DIGITALLY ACTIVE WOMEN
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20151794Keywords:
Cyberchondria, Online Health Anxiety, Digital Health Behavior, Women’s Health, Internet UseAbstract
This study examines age-cohort differences in cyberchondria among digitally active women and their associations with selected demographic and healthcare-related variables. Conducted as a descriptive cross-sectional study, data were collected from 410 women aged 18–78 years in Türkiye via an online survey. Analyses included descriptive statistics, independent-samples t-tests, and one-way ANOVA, using the Cyberchondria Severity Scale–Short Form (CSS-12). Results indicated moderate overall cyberchondria levels (mean = 2.46). Younger women reported significantly higher scores in the Excessiveness, Distress, and Total dimensions, reflecting more frequent and anxiety-driven online health information seeking. Education level was associated only with Excessiveness, while the presence of a healthcare professional in one’s immediate social environment was linked to lower overall cyberchondria levels. These findings highlight the role of age, digital engagement, and social context in shaping online health anxiety. Strengthening digital health literacy and critical evaluation skills may help reduce excessive health-related searches, particularly among younger women.
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