Does Cyberchondria Mediate the Effect of COVID-19 Fear on the Stress?

Durmuş A., Deniz S., Akbolat M., Çimen M.

SOCIAL WORK IN PUBLIC HEALTH, cilt.37, sa.4, ss.356-369, 2022 (SSCI) identifier identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 37 Sayı: 4
  • Basım Tarihi: 2022
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1080/19371918.2021.2014013
  • Dergi Adı: SOCIAL WORK IN PUBLIC HEALTH
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, IBZ Online, AgeLine, CAB Abstracts, CINAHL, EBSCO Education Source, EMBASE, Geobase, MEDLINE, Social services abstracts, Sociological abstracts
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.356-369
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Fear of COVID-19, cyberchondria, stress, scale, mediating, ACUTE RESPIRATORY SYNDROME, HEALTH INFORMATION, EBOLA OUTBREAK, COMMUNITY, RESPONSES, IMPACT, VALIDATION, EPIDEMIC, INTERNET, ANXIETY
  • Yozgat Bozok Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

To determine the effect of COVID-19 fear on the stress of the individuals, and to investigate the mediating role of cyberchondria on this effect. The population of the present study consisted of the individuals 18 years of age or older who were resident in the Bursa province of Turkey. The research enrolled 425 individuals who agreed to complete the questionnaire. The questionnaire, which consists of four sections including, (1) sociodemographic characteristics; (2) fear of COVID-19 scale; (3) short cyberchondria scale; and (4) perceived stress scale, was used to collect data in the study. Descriptive statistical methods and path analysis were used for data analysis. Fear of COVID-19 has a significant effect on perceived stress/distress which is mediated by cyberchondria. However, fear of COVID-19 does not have a significant effect on perceived insufficient self-efficacy. Similarly, cyberchondria does not have a mediating role in this effect. Reliable and accurate information resources should be presented about COVID-19; the individuals should adopt behaviors that would improve their health; and getting professional help should be encouraged for those with psychological problems. Otherwise, fear of COVID-19 causes perceived stress/distress to the individuals.