The potential categories of cyberchondria among undergraduate nursing students and the relationship with eHealth literacy and health anxiety: a survey study from Southeastern China

Minimal research has delved into the latent categories of cyberchondria among undergraduate nursing students and its correlation with eHealth literacy and health anxiety. In this study, convenience sampling was employed to conduct a survey among 713 undergraduate nursing students utilizing a General Information Survey Form, the Chinese Version of the Brief Cyberchondria Scale, the Chinese Version of the eHEALS Scale, and the Chinese Version of the Brief Health Anxiety Inventory, yielding 692 valid responses. Through latent profile analysis, this research categorized cyberchondria among nursing students into three distinct profiles: 'Low Search-Low Disturbance Group' (12.3%), 'High Search-Low Disturbance Group' (41.3%), and 'High Search-High Disturbance Group' (46.4%). Key determinants influencing these cyberchondria profiles among nursing students were identified as gender, decision-making capability, the fear of becoming ill, and the fear of the negative consequences associated with illness (p < 0.05). The study unveils that cyberchondria levels are significantly high among undergraduate nursing students, influenced by various factors. Strategic interventions encompassing cognitive, emotional, and social dimensions are suggested to decrease the prevalence of cyberchondria within this demographic.