Accepted for/Published in: Journal of Medical Internet Research
Date Submitted: Feb 9, 2025
Date Accepted: Mar 18, 2025
Exploring the relationship between cyberchondria and suicidal ideation: Cross-sectional mediation analysis
ABSTRACT
Background:
The proliferation of online health information has intensified cyberchondria, anxiety from excessive health-related searches. While linked to heightened health anxiety, its association with severe outcomes like suicidal ideation remains underexplored. Understanding this relationship is critical, given rising digital health-seeking behaviors, to inform mental health interventions and mitigate potential psychological risks.
Objective:
Cyberchondria (CYB) has been associated with various mental health issues and has been demonstrated to have harmful consequences. This study aimed to explore the association between CYB and suicidal ideation in a sample of the general Chinese population.
Methods:
Data were obtained from a cross-sectional and web-based survey conducted in 2024. Structural equation modeling analysis was used to assess the hypothesized model. Standardized (β) estimates, along with their 95% confidence intervals, were calculated for all structural paths, adjusting for participants’ background characteristics.
Results:
A total of 2,415 individuals completed the questionnaire (response rate = 98.5%). Structural equation modeling revealed a significant association between CYB and psychological distress (β = 0.281, p<0.001), between psychological distress and suicidal ideation (β = 0.504, p<0.001) and between CYB and suicidal ideation (β = 0.107, p<0.001). The indirect effect of CYB on suicidal ideation through psychological distress was also significant (β = 0.142, p<0.001).
Conclusions:
The main contribution of the present study is that it highlights an important relationship between CYB and suicidal ideation, with a direct and statistically significant association between these variables. Their relationship is also mediated by psychological distress, which reflects the role of depressive and anxiety symptoms.
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