Online health information seeking, health anxiety and cyberchondria among men who engage in sexual risk taking

The mediating role of medical consultation about HIV / Aids

Bibliographic Data

ID12397403
AuthorsYu Guo (0009-0002-1747-4440, Faculty of Humanities and Arts Macau University of Science and Technology Macau China), Yuxuan Wang (0000-0001-5549-3584, Faculty of Humanities and Arts Macau University of Science and Technology Macau China), Yiwei Li (0000-0002-7567-1912, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Beijing Normal University‐Hong Kong Baptist University United International College Zhuhai China, corresponding author)
Year2024
Volume34
Issue4
Publication date2024-07-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Community & Applied Social Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1052-9284 • E-ISSN: 1099-1298
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/casp.2845
OpenAlexW4400386190
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited65

The rapid development of electronic communication technology has brought about a revolutionary transformation in health information seeking and medical consultation. Beyond traditional avenues like seeking assistance from doctors in hospitals, individuals now have the option to engage in online medical consultations, enhancing their ability to manage routine health effectively. However, an overreliance on online medical consultations driven by heightened health anxiety may contribute to the surge in online health information inquiries, a phenomenon positively associated with the emergence of cyberchondria. In the context of China, where HIV/AIDS is socially stigmatised, cyberchondria related to HIV infection becomes particularly noteworthy. This study delves into the potential consequences of online health information seeking (OHIS) with a specific focus on Kongai BBS, a platform catering for individuals with a fear of AIDS. Our research collected data from 309 male users actively participating in the BBS, who had engaged in high‐risk sexual behaviours in the past 6 months. Applying structural equation modelling (SEM), this study examines the intricate relationships between OHIS, health anxiety, online and offline medical consultations, and cyberchondria. The results indicate that online medical consultation serves as a mediator in the relationship between OHIS and cyberchondria, whereas offline medical consultation does not significantly impact this relationship. These findings contribute valuable insights into the interactive dynamics between online and offline medical consultations, offering practical implications for the prevention of HIV infection in China. Please refer to the Supplementary Material section to find this article's Community and Social Impact Statement

Anxiety · Context (archaeology · Environmental health · Online and offline · Political science · Population · Psychiatry · Reproductive health · Health Literacy and Information Accessibility · Medicine · Mental Health via Writing · Misinformation and Its Impacts · Psychology

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