The Assessment of Cyberchondria: Instruments for Assessing Problematic Online Health-Related Research

Starčević, Vladan; Berle, David; Arnáez, Sandra; Vismara, Matteo; Fineberg, Naomi

doi:10.1007/s40429-020-00308-w

Cited by 17 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…Cyberchondria, conceptualized as a trans-diagnostic digital compulsive syndrome [6], has received much interest recently in the COVID-19 context [86,87]. Although several scales have been developed to measure cyberchondria, we retained here the Cyberchondria Severity Scale (CSS-33) [88] which has been suggested as the most established and consensual scale [89].…”

Section: Age-and Culture-appropriate Assessment Instruments For Diffe...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Advances in problematic usage of the internet research – A narrative review by experts from the European network for problematic usage of the internet

Fineberg

Menchón

Hall

et al. 2022

Comprehensive Psychiatry

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Section: Age-and Culture-appropriate Assessment Instruments For Diffe...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Advances in problematic usage of the internet research – A narrative review by experts from the European network for problematic usage of the internet

Fineberg

Menchón

Hall

et al. 2022

Comprehensive Psychiatry

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“…Finally, the use of the CSS implies a direct or indirect endorsement of the theoretical framework on which it is based [ 38 •], while there remains a lack of consensus about the definition of cyberchondria. Consequently, in addition to the need for refinement of the CSS, there is also a need for the multidimensional conceptualization of cyberchondria to be tested.…”

Section: Assessment Of Cyberchondriamentioning

confidence: 99%

Recent Insights Into Cyberchondria

Starčević

Berle

Arnáez

2020

Curr Psychiatry Rep

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Purpose of Review The construct of cyberchondria was introduced relatively recently. This article aims to review the conceptualization, theoretical basis and correlates of cyberchondria, as well as its prevention and management. Recent Findings Although there is no consensus, most definitions of cyberchondria emphasize online health research associated with heightened distress or anxiety. The two theoretical models of cyberchondria involve reassurance seeking and specific metacognitive beliefs. Cyberchondria has relationships with health anxiety, problematic Internet use and symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder, with public health implications pertaining to functional impairment and altered healthcare utilization. Suggestions about prevention and management of cyberchondria have been put forward, but not tested yet. Summary Research interest in cyberchondria has steadily increased. It is uncertain whether cyberchondria can be considered a distinct entity. Future research should aim to clarify the conceptual status of cyberchondria, quantify its impact and develop evidence-based approaches for a better control of cyberchondria.

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“…Moreover, the CSS psychometric properties have been tested in Polish [ 28 ], German [ 83 ], and Turkish [ 84 , 85 ] versions. In addition, short versions of the CSS have been designed with 30, 15, and 12 items [ 86 ].…”

Section: Cyberchondriamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Other instruments for assessing cyberchondria have been developed in recent years in addition to the CSS, including the cyberchondria scale (CS) [ 87 ], the cyberchondria tendency scale (CTS) [ 88 ], the short cyberchondria scale (SCS) [ 89 ], and the brief cyberchondria scale (BCS) [ 90 ]. Some authors have stressed that the emergence of these new instruments developed for non-English speaking populations may be due, at least partially, to the need for culturally specific tools [ 86 ], as well as to address the limitations of the CSS, such as its reduced ability to distinguish between nonclinical and clinical levels of cyberchondria [ 91 , 92 ].…”

Section: Cyberchondriamentioning

confidence: 99%

Cyberchondria: a Growing Concern During the COVID-19 Pandemic and a Possible Addictive Disorder?

Mestre‐Bach

Potenza

2023

Curr Addict Rep

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Purpose of Review The main purpose of this narrative review is to provide a brief overview of the current empirical evidence regarding the conceptualization, assessment, and treatment of cyberchondria, with a focus on the potential classification of cyberchondria as a behavioral addiction. Although cyberchondria has been widely associated with anxiety, it has also been suggested that it may be linked to obsessive–compulsive features. A less explored proposal is the categorization of cyberchondria as a behavioral addiction. The present review explores the existing literature with respect to the possible classification of cyberchondria as a behavioral addiction by considering cyberchondria with respect to components of the interaction of person, affect, cognition and execution model. Recent Findings There is a lack of consensus regarding the definition and conceptualization of cyberchondria. The empirical evidence available to date suggests that cyberchondria is a multifactorial construct that operates transdiagnostically, particularly with respect to obsessive–compulsive-related disorders and health-related anxiety. The extent to which the condition may reflect a behavioral addiction as a form of problematic use of the internet also warrants consideration. Cyberchondria may have become more prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic, with particular populations prone to health-related anxiety likely having greater vulnerability. Existing data in part support the potential classification of cyberchondria as a behavioral addiction, although many gaps in understanding currently exist. Summary Cyberchondria appears to be a growing concern. However, there is not yet enough empirical evidence to determine whether this clinical condition has enough similarities with behavioral addictions to be considered as one. Likewise, psychometric instruments that exist to date have not been designed from the theoretical framework of behavioral addictions, so most of the factors that they evaluate may be preferentially related to anxiety. Finally, there is still no consensus on whether cyberchondria should be addressed in the context of health anxiety interventions, OCRD, or behavioral addictions; thus, more empirical evidence is needed.

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The Assessment of Cyberchondria: Instruments for Assessing Problematic Online Health-Related Research

Cited by 17 publications

References 38 publications

Advances in problematic usage of the internet research – A narrative review by experts from the European network for problematic usage of the internet

Advances in problematic usage of the internet research – A narrative review by experts from the European network for problematic usage of the internet

Recent Insights Into Cyberchondria

Cyberchondria: a Growing Concern During the COVID-19 Pandemic and a Possible Addictive Disorder?

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