%0 Journal Article
%@ 1438-8871
%I JMIR Publications
%V 23
%N 11
%P e27835
%T Conceptualizations of Cyberchondria and Relations to the Anxiety Spectrum: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
%A Schenkel,Sandra K
%A Jungmann,Stefanie M
%A Gropalis,Maria
%A Witthöft,Michael
%+ Department of Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy, and Experimental Psychopathology, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Wallstraße 3, Mainz, 55122, Germany, 49 61313939202, s.schenkel@uni-mainz.de
%K cyberchondria
%K health anxiety
%K online health information seeking
%K anxiety
%K systematic review
%K meta-analysis
%D 2021
%7 18.11.2021
%9 Review
%J J Med Internet Res
%G English
%X Background: Cyberchondria describes the detrimental effects of health-related internet use. Current conceptualizations agree that cyberchondria is associated with anxiety-related pathologies and may best be conceptualized as a safety behavior; however, little is known about its exact underlying mechanisms. Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to give an overview of the conceptualizations of cyberchondria and its relation to anxiety-related pathologies, quantify the strength of association to health anxiety by using meta-analyses, highlight gaps in the literature, and outline a hypothetical integrative cognitive-behavioral model of cyberchondria based on the available empirical evidence. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, and PsycINFO electronic databases. A total of 25 studies were included for qualitative synthesis and 7 studies, comprising 3069 individuals, were included for quantitative synthesis. The meta-analysis revealed a strong association of cyberchondria (r=0.63) and its subfacets (r=0.24-0.66) with health anxiety. Results: The results indicate that cyberchondria is a distinct construct related to health anxiety, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, intolerance of uncertainty, and anxiety sensitivity. Further studies should distinguish between state and trait markers of anxiety-related pathologies and use experimental and naturalistic longitudinal designs to differentiate among risk factors, triggers, and consequences related to cyberchondria. Conclusions: Health-related internet use in the context of health anxiety is best conceptualized as health-related safety behavior maintained through intermittent reinforcement. Here, we present a corresponding integrative cognitive-behavioral model. 
%M 34792473
%R 10.2196/27835
%U https://www.jmir.org/2021/11/e27835
%U https://doi.org/10.2196/27835
%U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/34792473