Cyberchondria and pregnancy-related anxiety: multidimensional assessment of Health anxiety, sensitivity, uncertainty, and fear of childbirth in pregnant women

This study was conducted to examine the effects of cyberchondria severity on intolerance of uncertainty, fear of childbirth, and anxiety related to health and pregnancy in pregnant women. The cross-sectional study was conducted between 1 August 2024 and 1 February 2025 (6 months) at the Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinic of Aydın Adnan Menderes University Hospital. 149 pregnant women who met the sample selection criteria were included in the study. Data were obtained using a face-to-face self-reporting technique using the Personal Information Form, Health Anxiety Inventory (HAI), Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 (ASI-3), Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS), Pregnancy-Related Anxiety Questionnaire-Revised 2 (PRAQ-R2, Cyberchondria Severity Scale (CSS-12) and Fear of Birth Scale (FBS). The mean age of the pregnant women participating in the study was 28.11 ± 4.78, the gestational week was 23.20 ± 7.66, and the number of pregnancies was 2.12 ± 0.84. The mean scores they received from the scales were; HAI 40.75 ± 3.40, ASI-3 59.44 ± 6.32, IUS 48.55 ± 3.57, PRAQ-R2 44.20 ± 3.70, CSS-12 50.36 ± 5.080 and FBS 54.49 ± 15.70. It was determined that there was a statistically significant difference between the working status and place of residence and HAI. In the study, it was determined that there was a weak positive relationship between the CSS-12 total score average and the ASI-3 and PRAQ-R2 total score, and a moderate positive relationship with FBS, HAI and IUS. According to the regression analysis result, it was found that the severity of cyberchondria in pregnant women increased pregnancy-related anxiety (β = 0.337), intolerance of uncertainty (β = 0.510) and fear of childbirth (β = 0.498). In the study, it was seen that the severity of cyberchondria use, health and pregnancy-related anxiety level, fear of childbirth and intolerance of uncertainty were high in pregnant women, and cyberchondria increased pregnancy-related anxiety, fear of childbirth and intolerance of uncertainty in pregnant women.