No abstract

Internet danas zauzima važno mjesto u prikupljanju informacija o zdravlju. Međutim, čini se da može izazvati nepotrebnu zabrinutost za zdravlje koja se naziva kiberohondrija (engl. cybechondria). U ovom preglednom radu opisan je konstrukt kiberohondrije te odnos kiberohondrije prema povezanim relevantnim konceptimazdravstvenoj anksioznosti i hipohondriji. Dan je pregled nalaza istraživanja iz ovog područja koji su integrirani u tri teorijska modela različitih razina. Proširenim biopsihosocijalno-digitalnim modelom objašnjeno je kako biološki, psihološki i socijalni čimbenici mogu zajedno rezultirati zdravstvenom anksioznošću pri čemu je predloženo da digitalna komponenta pojačava i ubrzava opisane procese. U okviru kognitivno-bihevioralnog modela, pretraživanje zdravstvenih informacija na internetu konceptualizirano je kao okidač u razvoju zdravstvene anksioznosti, ali i oblik tzv. traženja razuvjerenja koje održava zdravstvenu anksioznost. Kako pretraživanje ima svoje specifičnosti u odnosu na druge oblike traženja razuvjerenja, opisan je i model kiberohondrije koji pojašnjava zašto se pretraživanje o zdravlju na internetu održava unatoč anksioznosti koja ga prati. Sažeto su prikazana istraživanja o potencijalnim rizičnim čimbenicima za kiberohondriju; o zdravstvenoj anksioznosti, anksioznoj osjetljivosti, netoleranciji neizvjesnosti i metakognicijama, kao i mehanizmi njihova djelovanja. Na kraju su istaknute praktične implikacije istraživanja kiberohondrije./ Nowadays, the Internet holds an important place in the process of gathering information regarding health. However, it seems that this can cause an unnecessary concern about health that is referred to as cyberchondria. This review article describes the construct of cyberchondria and its relationship with related relevant concepts -health anxiety and hypochondria. The article presents an overview of research results from this area that have been integrated into three theoretical models of different levels. The expanded biopsychosocial-digital model explains how biological, psychological, and social factors may together result in health anxiety, with the suggestion that the digital component intensifies and accelerates the described processes. Within the framework of the cognitive-behavioural model, searching the Internet about health information is conceptualized as a trigger in the development of health anxiety, but also as a form of reassurance seeking that reflects health anxiety. Since Internet searching has its specific aspects in comparison with other forms of reassurance seeking, the article also describes the cyberchondria model which explains why searching the Internet about health is continued despite the accompanying anxiety. The article summarizes research on potential risk factors for cyberchondria; on health anxiety, anxiety sensitivity, intolerance of uncertainty, and metacognitive beliefs, as well as their mechanisms. Finally, the article points out the practical implications of researching cyberchondria.Pretraživanje interneta radi informira...

Objectives: We aimed to develop a measure of psychotherapists' attitudes toward integrating technology in psychotherapy-The Therapists' Attitudes toward using Modern Technologies in Psychotherapy and Counselling Scale (MTPS), to analyze its latent structure and test its reliability and validity. Method: Items were developed based on interviews with psychotherapists, followed by two online surveys with psychotherapists (N1 = 219; N2 = 369) in five countries in South-eastern Europe. Results: The MTPS has a 4-factor structure: perceived potential of modern technologies (MTs) to augment therapeutic improvement, perceived psychoeducational value of MTs, perceived risks associated with using MTs, and perceived relevance of MTs. Specific dimensions of the MTPS predicted psychotherapists' behaviors and intentions regarding technology (Rc = 0.15-0.46). The reliability of the MTPS subscales was satisfactory.Conclusion: MTPS appears to be a useful instrument. Exploring psychotherapists' attitudes assists in predicting obstacles to the implementation of technology in psychotherapy and planning adequate intervention to overcome it. K E Y W O R D S blended care, computerized treatment, scale development, technology in psychotherapy, therapists' attitudes

Background With the COVID-19 infection speeding around the world, many experience fear and anxiety. To detect those at risk of psychopathology and provide treatment, valid instruments are needed. The aim of this study was to cross-culturally validate the theory-based instrument Multidimensional Assessment of COVID-19-Related Fears (MAC-RF) in Croatian and to further examine the scale’s validity by exploring its relationship with relevant constructs. Method A total of 477 participants completed an online survey during a rapid rise in new daily COVID-19 cases in Croatia and while new restrictions were being imposed. Results MAC-RF had a stronger association with health anxiety, cyberchondria, and anxiety sensitivity compared to depression, attesting to its convergent and divergent validity. However, a 2-factor structure was revealed in this sample: Fear of infection and Fear of using an inadequate strategy in dealing with pandemic. Fear of infection had a stronger association with health anxiety and COVID-19 anxiety and was a better predictor of COVID-19 related protective health behaviors. Fear of choosing an inadequate strategy had a stronger association with cyberchondria, fear of consequences of the epidemic on mental health, as well as financial consequences, and loss of civil liberties. Conclusion Fear of infection captures negative emotional states due to feared consequences on personal somatic health and the health of loved ones, while Fear of choosing an inadequate strategy in dealing with the pandemic reflects a metacognitive aspect. Treatments may have to target both aspects of COVID-19 related fear.

Pretraživanje o zdravlju na internetu postalo je vrlo rašireno. Kako starije osobe imaju više zdravstvenih problema, mogle bi postati sve veći konzumenti digitalnih zdravstvenih sadržaja. No, budući da imaju slabije računalne vještine te da nisu naviknute na ulogu „osnaženog pacijenta“, mogle bi doživjeti pretjeranu zabrinutost dok pretražuju o svojim simptomima. Istraživanja sugeriraju da je pretraživanje o zdravlju na internetu potencijalni rizični faktor za patološku zdravstvenu anksioznost, a možda na poseban način djeluje upravo na starije osobe. Istraživanja o pretraživanju kod starijih malobrojna su i uglavnom provedena bez jasnog teorijskog okvira što otežava smislenu interpretaciju i integraciju njihovih nalaza. Stoga je cilj ovoga preglednog rada ponuditi takav teorijski okvir (Leventhalov model zdravorazumske regulacije) te dati pregled nalaza dosadašnjih istraživanja u području integrirajući ih u predloženi model. Ovaj model predviđa da dob i dobne promjene u doživljaju sebe rezultiraju promjenama u zdravstvenim kognicijama i ponašanjima. Pretraživanje o zdravlju na internetu može se konceptualizirati kao strategija suočavanja i sa zdravstvenom prijetnjom i emocionalnom neugodom, a koja ima posljedice na kognitivne reprezentacije bolesti (identitet, uzrok, posljedice, mogućnost kontrole i vremensku dimenziju), zdravstvena ponašanja i ishode. Polazeći od pretpostavki modela, raspravljeno je kako pretraživanje može rezultirati zdravstvenom anksioznošću. Na kraju su pružene smjernice za buduća istraživanja i razmotrene njihove praktične implikacije.