Factors Associated With Health Perception and Psychological Well-Being Among Third-Age University Students: Cross-Sectional Study on the Role of Cyberchondria.

Abstract

Background: With Türkiye's aging population and widespread internet usage, the excessive seeking of health information through online platforms, formally identified as cyberchondria, has emerged as a concern affecting older individuals' health perception and psychological well-being.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the association of cyberchondria with health perceptions and psychological well-being among older participants in a third-age university program.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 352 participants aged ≥60 (mean 67.4, SD 4.7) years from Tazelenme University, Antalya, Türkiye, and was conducted between November and December 2024. Data were collected using the Cyberchondria Severity Scale Short Form (CSS-12), Individual Health Perception Scale, and Psychological Well-Being Scale for Older People (PWBS-OP). Statistical analyses included correlation and multiple regression analyses.

Results: The mean age of the 352 participants was 67.4 (SD 4.7, range 60-87) years, 38.6% (n=136) were first-year students, 69.6% (n=245) were men, 58.8% (n=207) were married, 48.9% (n=172) were university graduates or above, and 65.1% (n=229) had chronic diseases. Significant negative correlations were found between CSS-12 distress, compulsion, and total scores with both Individual Health Perception Scale and PWBS-OP scores (P<.05). According to the multiple linear regression analysis, the presence of chronic disease was the only significant positive predictor of higher health perception levels (B=2.16, 95% CI 1.721-3.593; P=.003), whereas factors such as age, gender, education level, and CSS-12 total scores did not demonstrate a statistically significant impact (P>.05). Psychological well-being (PWBS-OP) was significantly and positively predicted by age (B=0.22, 95% CI 0.037-0.399; P=.02), marital status (B=1.67, 95% CI 1.064-2.716; P=.002), economic status (B=2.10, 95% CI 1.729-3.464; P=.003), and the thought of having an undiagnosed disease (B=3.38, 95% CI 1.038-5.830; P=.007), whereas it was significantly and negatively predicted by medical examinations in the past year (B=-1.29, 95% CI -2.093 to 0.485; P=.002), undergoing examinations without a physician's recommendation (B=-2.04, 95% CI -3.794 to -0.290; P=.02), searching for health-related topics on the internet (B=-1.26, 95% CI -2.152 to -0.360; P=.006), and CSS-12 total scores (B=-0.13, 95% CI -0.261 to -0.060; P=.04).

Conclusions: High cyberchondria levels significantly impair older adults' psychological well-being and health perception. While demographic factors positively influence health perception, excessive internet-based health seeking deteriorates psychological well-being. Digital health literacy programs, professional online health counseling, and psychological support should be recommended to target cyberchondria risks in older populations.