Bidirectional links between cyberchondria and health anxiety in Tunisian students
H. Guidara, Z. Hadrich, I. Chaari, M. Kessentini, W. Abid, E. Maaloul, A. Kammoun, F. Charfeddine, L. Aribi, N. Messedi, J. AloulouIntroduction
Cyberchondria and health anxiety are intertwined. Online health searches can temporarily reassure but ultimately reinforce anxiety. Little is known about this dynamic in North African student populations.
Objectives
To examine the association between cyberchondria and health anxiety in Tunisian students.
Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional online survey among university students in Sfax (Tunisia) between March and April 2025. Participants completed Cyberchondria Severity Scale-15 (CSS-15) and Short form of Health Anxiety Inventory (SHAI). Analyses used non-parametric tests and Spearman correlation.
Results
A total of 283 Tunisian students participated (58.7% were male, mean age 21.32 ± 1.41 years). Cyberchondria was moderate in 64% and high in 3.9%. Health anxiety was moderate to substantial in 16.2%. Cyberchondria correlated positively with health anxiety (ρ=0.325, p<0.001). Students with family psychiatric history had the highest combined scores. Females consistently reported higher severity (p<0.001).
Conclusions
Among Tunisian students, cyberchondria and health anxiety reinforce each other, forming a vicious cycle of worry and online checking. Interventions focusing on psychoeducation and digital health awareness are warranted.
Disclosure of Interest
None Declared