Role of Cyberchondriasis in Predicting Psychological Well-Being among Women

Abstract

Background:The lives of the individuals have gradually been impacted by the internet which has developed into an essential source of communication with the outside world. The advent of the internet as a primary source of health-related information has revolutionized how individuals approach their health concerns. It has given rise to an abnormal behavioral phenomenon referred to as cyberchondriasis characterized by excessive and compulsive online health information seeking behavior that leads to elevated anxiety and psychological distress. Aim:The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between cyberchondriasis and psychological well-being among women. Participants:The present study was conducted on 204 women with the age range of 21-30 years. The participants were drawn using the convenient sampling method. The measures of cyberchondriasis severity scale and Ryff’s psychological well-being scale were administered on study participants to assess the variables under study. The descriptive analysis, correlation and regression analysis were applied to analyze the data. Results:The findings revealed that there was a significant negative correlation between cyberchondriasis and psychological well-being among women (r=-.41, p<.01). The regression analysis revealed that cyberchondriasis contributed 17 per cent of the variance in predicting psychological well-being among women. The limitations, suggestions and implications were also discussed