Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
JOURNAL OF HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY, cilt.0, sa.0, ss.1-20, 2026 (SSCI)
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.