The Relationship Between Cyberchondria and Health Perception and Anxiety Level in Pregnant Women: A Cross-sectional Study

NCT07192354 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: KBUPTherapy
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 80
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Pregnancy is a unique period in which women require extensive health information both to protect their own health and to prepare for motherhood. The literature indicates that pregnant women most frequently seek information on healthy nutrition, physical activity, fetal development, pregnancy symptoms, childbirth preparation, vaccination, and medication use. Although health professionals are considered reliable sources of information, due to limited accessibility, pregnant women often turn to the internet and social media. This increases the risk of exposure to inaccurate or incomplete information and may sometimes lead to cyberchondria. Moreover, during pregnancy, factors such as educational level, socioeconomic conditions, and family relationships contribute to the frequent occurrence of anxiety disorders, which can negatively affect the mother's quality of life and fetal development. Health perception, on the other hand, is an important concept that shapes individuals' health behaviors and responsibilities. However, studies examining the relationship between cyberchondria, anxiety levels, and health perception in pregnant women are limited. This study aims to reveal the relationship between health information-seeking behaviors, health perception, and anxiety levels in this special population of pregnant women.

Conditions

Cyberchondria; Pregnancy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• The Cyberchondria Severity Scale

  The Cyberchondria Severity Scale (CSS) was originally developed by McElroy and Shevlin (2014) to evaluate cyberchondria, defined as a form of anxiety characterized by excessive health-related information seeking on the internet. Subsequently, McElroy et al. (2019) introduced the short form of the scale, the CSS-12. The Turkish adaptation, validity, and reliability study of the CSS-12 was conducted by Söyler et al. (2021). The CSS-12 consists of 12 items, each rated on a 5-point Likert-type scale ranging from 1 ("never") to 5 ("always"). Total scores are calculated by summing all item responses, with possible scores ranging from 12 to 60. Higher scores indicate greater severity of cyberchondria. The scale does not contain any reverse-coded items. The CSS-12 comprises four subdimensions: excessiveness, distress, reassurance-seeking, and compulsion.

  1 month

• The Health Perception Scale

  The Health Perception Scale (HPS) was developed by Diamond et al. in 2007 to assess individuals' perceptions of their own health. The Turkish adaptation, including validity and reliability testing, was conducted by Kadıoğlu et al. in 2012. The scale consists of 15 items rated on a 5-point Likert-type scale, with response options ranging from "Strongly Disagree" to "Strongly Agree." Negative items are reverse-coded (Strongly Disagree = 5 to Strongly Agree = 1). The scale includes four subdimensions: central control, self-awareness, certainty, and importance of health. Total scores range from 15 to 75, with higher scores reflecting a more positive health perception. Participants indicate their agreement with each item, allowing researchers to quantify their overall health perception and examine its relationship with other psychosocial variables.

  1 month

• State-Trait Anxiety Inventory

  The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was originally adapted into Turkish by Öner and Le Compte between 1974 and 1977 to evaluate anxiety levels in both adolescent and adult Turkish populations. The inventory is widely used in research involving young and adult groups. The State Anxiety Scale items assess the intensity of feelings or behaviors in response to specific situations, with responses rated on a 4-point scale: 1 = Not at all, 2 = Somewhat, 3 = Much, 4 = Completely. The Trait Anxiety Scale items evaluate the frequency of feelings or behaviors over time, with response options: 1 = Almost never, 2 = Sometimes, 3 = Often, 4 = Almost always. The State Anxiety Scale consists of both direct items (3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18) and reverse-scored items (1, 2, 5, 8, 10, 11, 15, 16, 19, 20). Similarly, the Trait Anxiety Scale includes direct items (22, 23, 24, 25, 28, 29, 31, 32, 34, 35, 37, 38, 40) and reverse-scored items (21, 26, 27, 30,

  1 month

Interventions

Questionnaire and Physical Exam OTHER

Participants will be administered the Cyberchondria Severity Scale Short Form (CSS-12), Health Perception Scale, and State and Trait Anxiety Scale online via Google form.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Gender Eligibility Details: pregnant women
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

pregnant women

You may qualify if:

• Must be 18 years or older, pregnant, have access to the internet at any time, and have the ability to use it.
• Must be proficient in Turkish to understand the scales.

You may not qualify if:

• Having a diagnosed psychiatric illness,
• Being a healthcare worker,
• Having cognitive impairment or mental or physical limitations to the extent that they cannot understand questions.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Karabuk University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Karabuk University

Karabük, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Surveys and Questionnaires; Restraint, Physical

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Data Collection; Epidemiologic Methods; Investigative Techniques; Health Care Evaluation Mechanisms; Quality of Health Care; Health Care Quality, Access, and Evaluation; Public Health; Environment and Public Health; Behavior Control; Therapeutics; Immobilization

Study Officials

• Tarik OZMEN, PhD

  Karabuk University

  STUDY CHAIR

• Nesibe Sumeyye KUTAHYALIOGLU, PhD

  Karabuk University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Nurcan CONTARLI, PhD

  Karabuk University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Nurcan CONTARLI Lecturer, MSc

CONTACT

0370 418 9160; nurcancontarli@karabuk.edu.tr

Tarik OZMEN Professor, PhD

CONTACT

0370 418 9029; tarikozmen@karabuk.edu.tr

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: OTHER
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Lecturer

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 17, 2025
• First Posted: September 25, 2025
• Study Start: October 27, 2025
• Primary Completion: December 30, 2025
• Study Completion: January 30, 2026
• Last Updated: September 25, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)