Health anxiety and its association with perceptions toward health news and e-health literacy: A cross-sectional study from Türkiye
JOURNAL OF HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY, vol.0, no.0, pp.1-20, 2026 (SSCI, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 0 Issue: 0
- Publication Date: 2026
- Doi Number: 10.1177/13591053261433008
- Journal Name: JOURNAL OF HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY
- Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus
- Page Numbers: pp.1-20
- Yozgat Bozok University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Health anxiety adversely affects quality of life and increases healthcare utilization. This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between perceptions of health news, e-health literacy, and health anxiety among 402 adults recruited via non-probability convenience sampling in Türkiye. Data were collected using the Health Anxiety Inventory, e-Health Literacy Scale, and Health News Perception Scale. Mean health anxiety scores were low (0.95 ± 0.45). Women, individuals with lower education, poorer health perception, and those who immediately acted on health information reported higher health anxiety. In regression analysis, lower education, poor self-rated health, immediate application of health information, lower perception of commercial concern, higher behavioral change, and female gender were independently associated with higher health anxiety. Although e-health literacy and trust in health news were negatively correlated with anxiety, these associations were not significant in regression analysis. Transparent, evidence-based communication and strengthening education and e-health literacy may reduce media-induced health anxiety.