Dark side consequences of cyberchondria: an empirical investigation

Abstract

PurposeCyberchondria refers to the repeated and excessive search for health-related information online, associated with increased health anxiety. This paper utilizes the protection motivation theory to investigate the negative behavioral consequences of cyberchondria that pose health risks to users, such as trust in the physician, propensity to self-medicate, and therapy compliance.Design/methodology/approachThe data for the study were collected from a sample of 317 participants in India using an online survey and form. The analysis was conducted using structural equation modeling.FindingsCyberchondria negatively affects the trust in physician and positively affects the propensity to self-medicate. Trust in physician negatively affects the propensity to self-medicate and positively affects therapy compliance. Furthermore, trust in physician partially mediates the relationship between cyberchondria and the propensity to self-medicate and completely mediates the relationship between cyberchondria and therapy compliance. Cyberchondria has no direct significant effect on therapy compliance.Research limitations/implicationsResearchers need to examine other behavioral or psychological factors affected by the reduced trust in physicians due to cyberchondria.Practical implicationsPhysicians and health care providers should refocus on patients with cyberchondria and regain their trust through quality interactions and services. Policymakers may consider regulating online health information publication to set the standards of information quality and source. Websites and platforms publishing health information online should distinctly label verified information.Originality/valueThis study investigates the damaging effects of cyberchondria's behavioral consequences that pose health risks to users.