Research Article

The Relationship Between Cyberchondria and E-Health Literacy Level in Oncology Patients

Volume: 9 Number: 1 March 30, 2026
TR EN

The Relationship Between Cyberchondria and E-Health Literacy Level in Oncology Patients

Abstract

Objective: The primary objective of this study was to explore how e-health literacy is related to cyberchondria among individuals receiving oncology care. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 206 cancer patients who sought care at XXX Research Hospital between December 2021 and April 2022. Data collection tools included a demographic questionnaire, the E-Health Literacy Scale (eHEALS), and the Cyberchondria Severity Scale-33 (CSS-33). Statistical analyses involved descriptive measures (frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations), along with independent samples t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and linear regression techniques. Results: The regression model assessing the impact of e-health literacy on cyberchondria yielded statistically significant results, F(1.203) = 50.57, p < 0.001. E-health literacy accounted for 20% of the variance in cyberchondria severity (R² = 0.20) and exhibited a significant positive influence (β = 0.44; t(203) = 7.126; p < 0.001). The resulting regression equation was expressed as: Cyberchondria Severity Score = 61.862 + 1.37 × E-Health Literacy Score. Conclusion: The study's findings revealed a statistically significant relationship, indicating that individuals with higher levels of e-health literacy also tend to exhibit greater severity of cyberchondria. This highlights the importance of designing interventions that promote accurate online health information practices. It is recommended that healthcare professionals be empowered to address digital misinformation and guide patients in developing responsible internet search behaviors.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

None

Project Number

None

Ethical Statement

Ethics committee approval was received for this study from the ethics committee of Agri Ibrahim Cecen University (Date: 22.12.2021, Number: 366). This study is faithful to the Declaration of Helsinki.

Thanks

We would like to express our sincere thanks to those who contributed to the relevant literature. We have established our work, the institutions where the work is carried out and all person who chose to participate in the study voluntarily.

References

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  5. Batigun, A. D., Gor, N., Komurcu, B., & Erturk, I. S. (2018). Cyberchondria Scale (CS): Development, validity and reliability study. Dusunen Adam, 31(2), 148-162. https://doi.org/ 10.5350/DAJPN2018310203.
  6. Buyl, R., Beogo, I., Fobelets, M., Deletroz, C., Van Landuyt, P., Dequanter, S., Gorus, E., Bourbonnais, A., Giguère, A., & Lechasseur, K. (2020). e-Health interventions for healthy aging: a systematic review. Systematic Reviews, 9(1), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-020-01385-8
  7. Chua, G. P., Tan, H. K., & Gandhi, M. (2018). Information sources and online information seeking behaviours of cancer patients in Singapore. Ecancermedicalscience, 12. https://doi.org/10.3332/ecancer.2018.880
  8. Cohen, J. (1988). Statistical Power Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences. 3rd ed. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Health Services and Systems (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

March 30, 2026

Submission Date

July 15, 2025

Acceptance Date

February 9, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 9 Number: 1

APA
Aydin, M. A., Elkoca, A., Yıldırım, M. S., Solmaz, E., & Yıldız, M. (2026). The Relationship Between Cyberchondria and E-Health Literacy Level in Oncology Patients. Journal of Midwifery and Health Sciences, 9(1), 55-64. https://doi.org/10.62425/esbder.1743136
AMA
1.Aydin MA, Elkoca A, Yıldırım MS, Solmaz E, Yıldız M. The Relationship Between Cyberchondria and E-Health Literacy Level in Oncology Patients. Journal of Midwifery and Health Sciences. 2026;9(1):55-64. doi:10.62425/esbder.1743136
Chicago
Aydin, Muhammet Ali, Ayse Elkoca, Mehmet Salih Yıldırım, Ebru Solmaz, and Metin Yıldız. 2026. “The Relationship Between Cyberchondria and E-Health Literacy Level in Oncology Patients”. Journal of Midwifery and Health Sciences 9 (1): 55-64. https://doi.org/10.62425/esbder.1743136.
EndNote
Aydin MA, Elkoca A, Yıldırım MS, Solmaz E, Yıldız M (March 1, 2026) The Relationship Between Cyberchondria and E-Health Literacy Level in Oncology Patients. Journal of Midwifery and Health Sciences 9 1 55–64.
IEEE
[1]M. A. Aydin, A. Elkoca, M. S. Yıldırım, E. Solmaz, and M. Yıldız, “The Relationship Between Cyberchondria and E-Health Literacy Level in Oncology Patients”, Journal of Midwifery and Health Sciences, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 55–64, Mar. 2026, doi: 10.62425/esbder.1743136.
ISNAD
Aydin, Muhammet Ali - Elkoca, Ayse - Yıldırım, Mehmet Salih - Solmaz, Ebru - Yıldız, Metin. “The Relationship Between Cyberchondria and E-Health Literacy Level in Oncology Patients”. Journal of Midwifery and Health Sciences 9/1 (March 1, 2026): 55-64. https://doi.org/10.62425/esbder.1743136.
JAMA
1.Aydin MA, Elkoca A, Yıldırım MS, Solmaz E, Yıldız M. The Relationship Between Cyberchondria and E-Health Literacy Level in Oncology Patients. Journal of Midwifery and Health Sciences. 2026;9:55–64.
MLA
Aydin, Muhammet Ali, et al. “The Relationship Between Cyberchondria and E-Health Literacy Level in Oncology Patients”. Journal of Midwifery and Health Sciences, vol. 9, no. 1, Mar. 2026, pp. 55-64, doi:10.62425/esbder.1743136.
Vancouver
1.Muhammet Ali Aydin, Ayse Elkoca, Mehmet Salih Yıldırım, Ebru Solmaz, Metin Yıldız. The Relationship Between Cyberchondria and E-Health Literacy Level in Oncology Patients. Journal of Midwifery and Health Sciences. 2026 Mar. 1;9(1):55-64. doi:10.62425/esbder.1743136

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