EPV155 - Bidirectional links between cyberchondria and health anxiety in Tunisian students

EPV155

Bidirectional links between cyberchondria and health anxiety in Tunisian students

H. Guidara ², Z. Hadrich ², I. Chaari ¹, M. Kessentini ^1,*, W. Abid ¹, E. Maaloul ¹, A. Kammoun ², F. Charfeddine ¹, L. Aribi ¹, N. Messedi ¹, J. Aloulou ¹

¹ Psychiatric department “B”, Hedi Chaker University Hospital, ²Higher institute of nursing sciences of Sfax,, Sfax, Tunisia

 

Introduction: 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