The Digital Health Paradox: Examining How Emotional Regulation Buffers Age-Related Cyberchondria And Anxiety Across The Lifespan

Abstract

Cyberchondria is defined as excessive or repetitive online searching for health-related information that, rather than providing reassurance, aggravates health-related distress and anxiety. This study investigates the "Digital Health Paradox," exploring how age, subjective anxiety, and cognitive emotional regulation strategies interact to influence cyberchondria severity across the lifespan. Using a sample of 307 participants aged 18–60, assessments were conducted using the Cyberchondria Severity Scale (CSS), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ).

Statistical analysis using Spearman’s correlation revealed a significant positive correlation between age and cyberchondria scores (ρ = 0.194, p = 0.001), indicating that older adults exhibit higher vulnerability to digital health distress. Furthermore, a significant positive relationship was identified between general anxiety and cyberchondria (p = 0.035). Crucially, the study found a significant negative correlation between adaptive emotional regulation strategies and cyberchondria (ρ = -0.124, p = 0.030). Multiple linear regression confirmed that both age (p = 0.002) and adaptive emotional regulation (p = 0.027) are significant independent predictors of cyberchondria.

These findings suggest that while advancing age increases susceptibility to health-related digital distress, the utilization of adaptive cognitive strategies serves as a vital psychological buffer. The study highlights the necessity for age-specific interventions that focus on fostering emotional resilience and adaptive coping to mitigate the paradoxical anxiety generated by the modern digital health landscape.