The Effect of Coronavirus Fear on Cyberchondria Level in Students Studying in the Field of Health

Authors : Mustafa Belli

Pages : 142-151

Doi:10.56150/tjhsl.1141931

View : 21 | Download : 11

Publication Date : 2022-08-30

Article Type : Research

Abstract :ABSTRACT Objectives: This research was conducted to determine the effect of coronavirus fear on cyberchondria levels in students studying in the health field. Materials and method: The sample of the descriptive, correlational, and cross-sectional research conducted with students at Vocational School of Health Services between March 2022 and June 2022 is 304. "Personal Information Form," "Coronavirus (Covid-19) Fear Scale," and "Cyberchondria Severity Scale Short-Form" were applied to students who accepted to participate in the study. Results: The mean age of the students was 20.02 ± 1.15 (min: 18; max: 25); 73.0% were female. The average score of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) Fear Scale of the students participating in the study was 20.55 ± 4.47 (min: 7; max: 32), and the average score of the Cyberchondria Severity Scale was 35.93 ± 5.35 (min: 16; max: 46). It was determined that there was a statistically significant and positive relationship between the Coronavirus (Covid-19) Fear Scale and the Cyberchondria Severity Scale (r=0.579, p<0.05). Students' coronavirus fears are a major determinant of cyberchondria severity. Fear of coronavirus accounts for 33.3% of the variance in cyberchondria severity (β = 0.579, F = 152.474, p < 0.001). Accordingly, the one-unit increase in students' Coronavirus fears causes an increase of 0.579 (β=0.579) in the severity of cyberchondria. Conclusion: As a result of the research, it was revealed that the fear of Coronavirus in students studying in the field of health affected cyberchondria. It remains unclear when the current coronavirus pandemic will end. It is recommended to conduct large-population studies to identify the psychological problems caused by the pandemic and to determine strategies to minimize these negative consequences.
Keywords : COVID‑19, cyberchondria, fear of Coronavirus, health undergraduates