Online health research and health anxiety: A systematic review and conceptual integration

Using the Internet to obtain health information ("online health research," OHR) is commonplace. This article provides a systematic narrative review of evidence concerning the relationship between OHR and health anxiety. We conclude that health anxiety is associated with more frequent self-...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical psychology (New York, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2020-06, Vol.27 (2), p.n/a
Main Authors: Brown, Richard J., Skelly, Niamh, Chew-Graham, Carolyn A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anxiety
Computer Searching
cyberchondria
Distress
Health Anxiety
Health Information
Human
hypochondriasis
Illness Anxiety Disorder
Internet
Medical research
Metacognition
online health research
Physicians
reassurance
Systematic review
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Summary:Using the Internet to obtain health information ("online health research," OHR) is commonplace. This article provides a systematic narrative review of evidence concerning the relationship between OHR and health anxiety. We conclude that health anxiety is associated with more frequent self-reported OHR, heightened distress after OHR, and increased doctor visits post-OHR. Evidence suggests that OHR often has a reassurance seeking function and can relieve anxiety, but that it can also cause alarm and become a distressing, compulsive behavior. We present a novel model that integrates these perspectives and existing research within a single explanatory framework that distinguishes between problematic OHR and compulsive OHR, and describes the role of positive and negative metacognitions in their respective development. Public Health Significance Using the Internet to obtain health information is commonplace. Such Internet usage involves risks, including the risk of maintaining or exacerbating health anxiety. Health professionals should explore Internet usage with health anxious patients and consider referral for psychological input where Internet usage appears compulsive or associated with high levels of distress.
ISSN:0969-5893
1468-2850
DOI:10.1111/cpsp.12299