Cyberchondria and its Psychosocial and Technology-Related Correlates Among Chinese Community Residents: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract Cyberchondria has emerged as a technology-mediated behavioral health concern in the digital era, particularly among individuals frequently exposed to online health information. This study aimed to examine the severity of cyberchondria and identify its psychosocial and technology-related correlates among Chinese community residents. A multicenter cross-sectional survey was conducted among 768 community residents from 12 communities across three provinces in mainland China. Participants completed validated questionnaires measuring cyberchondria, intolerance of uncertainty, health anxiety, perceived social support, and problematic internet use. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the associations among these variables. Cyberchondria levels varied significantly across several sociodemographic and health-related characteristics. Intolerance of uncertainty and problematic internet use were positively associated with cyberchondria. Structural equation modeling further showed that social support and health anxiety were indirectly associated with cyberchondria through mediation pathways. These findings suggest that cyberchondria among community residents is associated with the interplay of psychological vulnerability, online health information–seeking behavior, and social support. The cross-sectional design precludes causal inference, the sample was based on convenience sampling and was not nationally representative, and all measures were self-reported. Cyberchondria among community residents appears to be a technology-mediated behavioral health problem associated with intolerance of uncertainty, problematic internet use, health anxiety, and perceived social support. Future research should further examine the role of digital health literacy, while public health interventions may focus on strengthening community-based social support, improving access to trustworthy health information, and promoting appropriate use of online health information.