The mediating role of Illness Anxiety in the Relationship Between Self-esteem and Cyberchondria in Students

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Associate Professor in Psychology, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz, Iran

2 Master's student in Psychology, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz, Iran

10.22098/jrp.2024.13387.1191

Abstract

Cyberchondria, illness anxiety, and self-esteem are three seemingly unrelated concepts that are quite intertwined. The research aimed to mediate the role of Illness anxiety in the relationship between self-esteem and cyberchondria in students. The current research design is descriptive and correlational. The statistical population studied in the current research is the students of Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, 262 people were selected by multi-stage cluster random sampling. McElroy and Shulin's cyberchondria questionnaire, Salkoskis and Warwick's health anxiety questionnaire, and Rosenberg's self-esteem questionnaire were used to collect information. Research data analysis was done using SPSS 24 and Lisrel 8 software. The results showed that self-esteem has a direct effect on cyberchondria (β= -0.08) and Illness anxiety (β= -0.44). Also, Illness anxiety is related to cyberchondria (β= 0.73). Also, the results showed that Illness anxiety can indirectly mediate the relationship between self-esteem and cyberchondria (β= -0.32). The evaluation of the hypothetical model of the research using fit indices showed that the hypothetical model fits with the measurement model. The results showed that Illness anxiety can mediate the relationship between self-esteem and cyberchondria. Cognitive behavioral techniques (CBT) including cognitive restructuring, and exposure therapy can help people to challenge their irrational thoughts and manage their anxiety.

Keywords

Journal of Research in Psychopathology

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 06 August 2024

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