The Relationship Between Cyberchondria and Psychological Well-Being in Individuals with Mental Illness: Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between cyberchondria and psychological well-being in individuals with mental illness. Material and Methods: This descriptive-correlational study was conducted in a hospital in Malatya. The study was conducted on 107 individuals with mental illness. The data were collected using the ''descriptive characteristics form'', ''Cyberchondria Severity Scale'' and ''Psychological Well-Being Scale''. SPSS 25.0 software was used to analyse the data. Results: In the study, it was determined that the cyberchondria severity level of individuals with mental illness was 41.52±14.48 and their psychological well-being score was 32.18±13.79. In the study, it was determined that there was a statistically negative correlation between the individuals' cyberchondria levels and their psychological well-being (p<0.05). As the psychological well-being level of the patients elevated, the level of cyberchondria severity lowered. Conclusion: As the cyberchondria severity level of the patients participating in the study elevated, their psychological wellbeing decreased. It is recommended to provide training on cyberchondria to individuals with mental illness, to provide training that includes psychological well-being to patients, especially psychiatric nurses, for elevating their psychological well-being levels, and to conduct similar studies with larger sample groups examining the cyberchondria and psychological well-being levels of psychiatric patients.