10.1016/0967-0653(96)83371-0

Vollständiger Abstract

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<h4>Background</h4>With Türkiye's aging population and widespread internet usage, the excessive seeking of health information through online platforms, formally identified as cyberchondria, has emerged as a concern affecting older individuals' health perception and psychological well-being.<h4>Objective</h4>This study aimed to evaluate the association of cyberchondria with health perceptions and psychological well-being among older participants in a third-age university program.<h4>Methods</h4>This cross-sectional study included 352 participants aged ≥60 (mean 67.4, SD 4.7) years from Tazelenme University, Antalya, Türkiye, and was conducted between November and December 2024. Data were collected using the Cyberchondria Severity Scale Short Form (CSS-12), Individual Health Perception Scale, and Psychological Well-Being Scale for Older People (PWBS-OP). Statistical analyses included correlation and multiple regression analyses.<h4>Results</h4>The mean age of the 352 participants was 67.4 (SD 4.7, range 60-87) years, 38.6% (n=136) were first-year students, 69.6% (n=245) were men, 58.8% (n=207) were married, 48.9% (n=172) were university graduates or above, and 65.1% (n=229) had chronic diseases. Significant negative correlations were found between CSS-12 distress, compulsion, and total scores with both Individual Health Perception Scale and PWBS-OP scores (<i>P</i><.05). According to the multiple linear regression analysis, the presence of chronic disease was the only significant positive predictor of higher health perception levels (<i>B</i>=2.16, 95% CI 1.721-3.593; <i>P</i>=.003), whereas factors such as age, gender, education level, and CSS-12 total scores did not demonstrate a statistically significant impact (<i>P</i>>.05). Psychological well-being (PWBS-OP) was significantly and positively predicted by age (<i>B</i>=0.22, 95% CI 0.037-0.399; <i>P</i>=.02), marital status (<i>B</i>=1.67, 95% CI 1.064-2.716; <i>P</i>=.002), economic status (<i>B</i>=2.10, 95% CI 1.729-3.464; <i>P</i>=.003), and the thought of having an undiagnosed disease (<i>B</i>=3.38, 95% CI 1.038-5.830; <i>P</i>=.007), whereas it was significantly and negatively predicted by medical examinations in the past year (<i>B</i>=-1.29, 95% CI -2.093 to 0.485; <i>P</i>=.002), undergoing examinations without a physician's recommendation (<i>B</i>=-2.04, 95% CI -3.794 to -0.290; <i>P</i>=.02), searching for health-related topics on the internet (<i>B</i>=-1.26, 95% CI -2.152 to -0.360; <i>P</i>=.006), and CSS-12 total scores (<i>B</i>=-0.13, 95% CI -0.261 to -0.060; <i>P</i>=.04).<h4>Conclusions</h4>High cyberchondria levels significantly impair older adults' psychological well-being and health perception. While demographic factors positively influence health perception, excessive internet-based health seeking deteriorates psychological well-being. Digital health literacy programs, professional online health counseling, and psychological support should be recommended to target cyberchondria risks in older populations.

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