The digital health dilemma: Exploring cyberchondria, well-being, and smartphone addiction in medical and non-medical undergraduates

• Published in: Indian journal of psychiatry Vol. 66; no. 3; pp. 256 - 262
• Main Authors: Agrawal, Vibhor, Khulbe, Yashita, Singh, Amit, Kar, Sujita K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Medknow Publications and Media Pvt. Ltd 01.03.2024; Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd; Wolters Kluwer - Medknow
• Subjects: Addictions; College students; Epidemiology; Internet; Medical personnel; Medical students; Mental health; Original; Psychological aspects; Smart phones; Smartphones; Surveys; India; smartphone addiction; health anxiety; Cyberchondria; subjective well-being
• ISSN: 0019-5545; 1998-3794
• DOI: 10.4103/indianjpsychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_570_23

The Internet is a popular source of health information, but too much research can cause anxiety (cyberchondria). Medical and non-medical personnel interpret information differently, leading to varying rates of cyberchondria. Smartphone addiction may also contribute to cyberchondria and impact mental health. The study was an epidemiological survey-based investigation with a cross-sectional design involving undergraduate students (aged 18 years or older) from Indian universities or colleges. The study utilized the Cyberchondria Severity Scale-Short Form (CSS-12), WHO-5 well-being index, and Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version (SAS-SV). A total of 1033 participants (53.1% females and 46.4% males) were recruited in the survey. Of the participants, 58.5% were pursuing medical or paramedical courses, while the remaining 41.5% belonged to the non-medical group. High-severity cyberchondria was present in about 4.4% of the students. The medical cohort demonstrated a significantly lower cumulative CSS in comparison to the non-medical cohort (t = - 3.90; < 0.01). Smartphone addiction was observed in 57.2% of individuals in the medical group and 55.9% of individuals in the non-medical group ( = 0.68). Medical students had a significantly lower mean well-being score compared to non-medical students (58.4 vs. 59.6; < 0.01). There was a positive correlation between cyberchondria severity and smartphone addiction, which was consistent across both groups. Medical students have less cyberchondria than non-medical students. Cyberchondria severity is linked to smartphone addiction. Non-medical students with cyberchondria have higher subjective well-being.