Research On Influencing Factors And Management Strategies Of Cyberchondria Of Residents From The Perspective Of Social Cognition Theory

Cyberchondria is an "emerging social risk" in the information age.It is considered the anxiety-amplifying effects of online health-related searches and is closely related to individual cognition/emotion/physiological state,search behavior,doctor-patient relationship,social support,etc.It poses a huge threat to the physical and mental health of residents,medical care,and public health.However,at present,foreign research on cyberchondria mainly focuses on the field of psychology/psychiatry and does not place it in the perspective of the social field.Domestic research on it is still in its infancy,the theoretical model is not clear,there are a few surveys on residents,the influencing factors are not clear,and few intervention measures have been proposed from the perspective of social management.Therefore,further discussion and research are urgently needed.This article constructed a model of the influencing factors of cyberchondria from the perspective of social cognition theory,and incorporated variables from individual factors,behavioral factors,and perceived environmental factors.Taking 1281 community residents in Changsha City,Hunan Province as the research object,through cross-sectional research,we analyzed the overall status of cyberchondria in residents,explored the influence of individual factors,behavioral factors and perceived environmental factors on cyberchondria by multiple linear regression,and the path and interaction of these three factors in the process of influence by structural equation model.Then,we proposed management strategies and suggestions on cyberchondria.In this paper,a theoretical model of the influencing factors of cyberchondria of is constructed.Through the questionnaire survey,it was found that 22.8% of residents had a score of 35 points or more on the C-CSS-12.By analyzing the influencing factors,it was found that cyberchondria was affected by individual factors,behavioral factors and environmental factors.Health anxiety(β=0.288,P<0.001),intolerance of uncertainty(β=0.090,P<0.001),problematic internet use(β=0.240,P<0.001),31-40 years old(β=1.022,P=0.031),expectation of results(β=0.598,P=0.004),active search(β=0.447,P=0.020),searching for the treatment and curative effect of diseases(β=1.153,P=0.004),searching for sexually transmitted diseases(β=1.369,P=0.041),searching when uncomfortable(β=0.878,P=0.036),perceiving the usefulness of online health information(β=0.514,P=0.015),accepting online doctor consultations(β=0.800,P<0.001),and wanting to see a doctor after searching(β=1.743,P<0.001)were all independent risk factors for cyberchondria,while doctor-patient relationship(β=-0.156,P<0.001),no clear search motivation(β=-0.955,P=0.008),search duration less than 10 minutes each(β=-1.301,P=0.025),choosing to search through professional medical platforms/APPssuch as Dingxiangyuan or hospital official website(β=-0.802,P=0.040)are independent protective factors for cyberchondria.By analyzing the influencing mechanism,it was found that the fitting effect of the individual factor model was good(CMIN/DF=4.279,RMSEA=0.051).Individual factor(health anxiety)could have an influence on cyberchondria through the mediating effects of individual factor(physical symptoms,intolerance of uncertainty),behavioral factor(problematic intenet use),and perceived environmental factor(doctor-patient relationship).Besides,the fitting effect of the behavioral factor model was good(CMIN/DF=4.020,RMSEA=0.049),behavioral factor(problematic intenet use)could have an impact on cyberchondria through counteracting individual factors(health anxiety,intolerance of uncertainty)and through perceived environmental factors(social support,the doctor-patient relationship).In addition,the fitting effect of the perceived environmental factor model was good as well(CMIN/DF=4.575,RMSEA=0.053),perceived environmental factor(doctor-patient relationship)could affect the perceived environmental factor(social support),individual factors(intolerance of uncertainty,physical symptoms)and behavioral factor(problematic intenet use)to have an effect on cyverchondria.By exploring the management strategies,it was recommended to first improve health literacy and health information literacy of residents to promote good health awareness and reasonable internet use;secondly,to strengthen the management of false misleading health-related information on the internet and to innovate the "multiple supply" model of health information services;thirdly,to improve the medical and health service process and supply,and to create a shared health and smart community.In conclusion,based on the social cognition theory,this paper constructed the theoretical framework and influencing factor model of cyberchondria,investigated the current status of cyberchondria on residents,and discussed the influencing factors and mechanism of cyverchondria from the perspective of "three-dimensional interaction".Finally,this paper explored the management strategies and suggestions for cyberchondria from three aspects: strengthening the cultivation of health information literacy,improving network health information services,and strengthening primary medical and health care.21 figures,57 tables,268 references.