The Role of Health Anxiety in Online Health Information Search

Abstract

This article is one of the first to empirically explore the relationship between health anxiety and online health information search. Two studies investigate how health anxiety influences the use of the Internet for health information and how health anxious individuals respond to online health information. An exploratory survey study with 104 Dutch participants indicates that health anxiety is related to an increase in online health information search. Moreover, results suggest that health anxious individuals experience more negative consequences from online health information search. Findings from an experimental study (n = 120) indicate that online health information results in greater worries among health anxious individuals compared to nonhealth anxious individuals only if the information stems from a trustworthy governmental Web site. Information from a less trustworthy online forum does not lead to greater worries among health anxious individuals. In sum, the Internet appears to play a pivotal role in the lives of health anxious individuals.

Health anxiety and Internet use: A thematic analysis

“…Furthermore, negative emotions during searches were strongly associated with non-resolution of the search process, whereas positive emotions during searching were strongly linked to successful resolutions and search terminations, potentially leading to negatively reinforcing behaviour and the need for/lack of control in searching. This supports past research finding both relief (suggestive of successful resolution; Singh & Brown, 2014), and distress/tension/anxiety (suggesting non-resolution; Baumgartner & Hartmann, 2011;Muse et al, 2012;Singh & Brown, 2014, 2015 in high health anxious individuals post-search. It also relates to the type of information searched for, as well as the perceived seriousness and familiarity of the issue.…”

“…doctor advantages), suggesting that in some cases doctor disadvantages related to time and convenience were the most likely to prompt Internet use, and not the content of appointments (Persing, Stuart, Noyes, & Happel, 2000). This finding may also explain heightened post-search doctor utilization in high health anxious individuals (e.g., Baumgartner & Hartmann, 2011;Eastin & Guinsler, 2006;Muse et al, 2012;Singh & Brown, 2014). These doctor disadvantages, paired with the Internet's ability to reassure and reduce anxiety/uncertainty was a major reason to use online health resources.…”

“…Despite the apparent benefits of being able to access online health resources, a number of commentators have expressed concerns about the potentially anxiety-provoking effects of online medical information (e.g., Muse, McManus, Leung, Meghreblian, & Williams, 2012;Singh & Brown, 2014, 2015Starcevic & Berle, 2013). Evidence indicates that Internet use for health purposes is higher in health anxious people (Muse et al, 2012;Singh & Brown, 2014, 2015, with increased distress and doctor utilization being comparatively common responses to Internet use in these individuals (Baumgartner & Hartmann, 2011;Eastin & Guinsler, 2006;Muse et al, 2012;Singh & Brown, 2014). Indeed, even those with lower state health anxiety are at risk of increased feelings of anxiety post health related Internet search (Singh & Brown, 2015).…”

Improving Information Provision for Neurosurgical Patients: A Qualitative Study

“…Three of the seven 1-3 relate to patient information seeking behavior; the remaining four [4][5][6][7] highlight ways in which surgeons can improve the communication of medical information to patients.…”

Fuzzy Vikor Approach: Evaluating Quality of Internet Health Information

“…Additionally, a study in [9] found that health anxious individuals often do not care about the credibility of an online health information forum provided the information is reassuring and allays their fears. Health anxiety [10], [11], raises fears and often misconception about potential severity of ones' illnesses.…”