Cyberchondria and COVID-19 anxiety and internet addiction among nursing students

• Published in: Current psychology (New Brunswick, N.J.) N.J.), 2023-01, Vol.42 (3), p.2406-2414
• Main Authors: Varer Akpinar, Ceren, Mandiracioglu, Aliye, Ozvurmaz, Safiye, Kurt, Fatma, Koc, Nazife
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Addictions; Analysis; Anxiety; Behavioral Science and Psychology; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Health aspects; Internet; Nursing education; Nursing students; Pathological Internet Use; Psychological aspects; Psychology; Social Sciences; Students
• ISSN: 1046-1310; 1936-4733
• DOI: 10.1007/s12144-022-04057-z

This study was conducted to determine the relationship between cyberchondria and COVID-19 anxiety and internet addiction in nursing students. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 843 students studying in the nursing department of Adnan Menderes University. The mean age of the students was 20.8 ± 1.72 years and 61.2% were female. The Cyberchondria Severity Scale-Short Form, Coronavirus Anxiety Scale, and the Young Internet Addiction Test-Short Form were used to collect data. The study found a positive association between internet addiction, cyberchondria severity, and anxiety about COVID-19. It was found that the anxiety of COVID-19 had a mediating role in the association between internet addiction and cyberchondria severity. It was found that the use of the internet as a source of information on health problems and trusting the health information found had a significant effect on high cyberchondria levels ( p