How online searches fuel health anxiety: Investigating the link between health-related searches, health anxiety, and future intention

The Digital revolution has changed the way in which health information is accessed. While some people feel empowered and less anxious after online searches, others are more anxious or puzzled, which may affect their health-related behaviors. By taking into account health anxiety, this paper examines the processes by which people transition from online health searches to the pursuit of healthcare assistance. Based on Stimulus Organism Response (S–O-R) framework, a research model was developed to illustrate the psychological mechanisms of how searching experience shapes users' healthcare behavior. Using partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) approach, the results support that the online searches trigger different features of health anxiety, which in turn reinforce further healthcare utilization intention. Results also show that response efficacy positively moderates the relationship between perceived illness likelihood and healthcare utilization intentions, while self-efficacy positively moderates the relationship between perceived illness likelihood and further search intention. Three major recommendations are suggested. Information seekers should rely less on internet searches to alleviate anxiety, and become more aware of, self-monitor, and reduce excessive online health searching. Different stakeholders should orient people to high-quality sources. Healthcare practitioners should engage in improving patient-centered information skills and patients’ health information literacy.