Cited by 268Health Literacy and Information AccessibilityInformation Retrieval and Search BehaviorMedia Influence and Health

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The Role of Health Anxiety in Online Health Information Search

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Baumgartner, Susanne E., Hartmann, Tilo·2011·Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking

DOI 10.1089/cyber.2010.0425

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Abstract

This article is one of the first to empirically explore the relationship between health anxiety and online health information search. Two studies investigate how health anxiety influences the use of the Internet for health information and how health anxious individuals respond to online health information. An exploratory survey study with 104 Dutch participants indicates that health anxiety is related to an increase in online health information search. Moreover, results suggest that health anxious individuals experience more negative consequences from online health information search. Findings from an experimental study (n=120) indicate that online health information results in greater worries among health anxious individuals compared to nonhealth anxious individuals only if the information stems from a trustworthy governmental Web site. Information from a less trustworthy online forum does not lead to greater worries among health anxious individuals. In sum, the Internet appears to play a pivotal role in the lives of health anxious individuals.

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Authors: Baumgartner, S. E., & Hartmann, T.
Affiliations: University of Amsterdam (NL)
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (NL)
Corresponding author: Baumgartner, Susanne E.
ORCID: Baumgartner, Susanne E.
Hartmann, Tilo
Venue: Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Published: 2011-10
Volume: 14
Issue: 10
Pages: 613-618
ISSN: 2152-2715 (ISSN-L)
2152-2723
DOI: 10.1089/cyber.2010.0425
OpenAlex: W2045368782
Cited by: 264
References: 35
Citations by year: 2026: 23 · 2025: 23 · 2024: 18 · 2023: 34 · 2022: 29 · 2021: 35 · 2020: 26 · 2019: 16 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 16 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 14 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 1
FWCI: 13.65
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: green
research.vu.nl
Licence: other-oa
www.liebertpub.com/nv/resources-tools/text-and-data-mining-policy/121/ (tdm)
Locations: Cyberpsychology Behavior and Social Networking (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
UvA-DARE (University of Amsterdam) (publishedVersion)
VU Research Portal (publishedVersion, other-oa)
Digital Academic REpository of VU University Amsterdam (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) (submittedVersion)
UvA-DARE (University of Amsterdam) (submittedVersion)
Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion)
Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Topics: Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health Literacy and Information Accessibility
Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Information Systems › Information Retrieval and Search Behavior
Social Sciences › Communication › Media Influence and Health
Keywords: health anxiety, online health information seeking, worry, online health communities
MeSH terms: Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Anxiety, Attitude to Health, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Surveys and Questionnaires, Internet, Information Seeking Behavior

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The Role of Health Anxiety in Online Health Information Search

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