Theorizing multidimensional interventions to mitigate cyberchondria: the roles of ehealth literacy, online patient-provider communication, and social support

Cyberchondria, marked by excessive online health searches that intensify anxiety and stress, has become a pressing concern in the digital age. This study examines the impact of cyberchondria on depressive symptoms using data from a nationally representative sample (N = 1,500) of Chinese adults. Through an indirect effects framework, the research identifies sleep disturbances as a partial mediator of the relationship between cyberchondria and depressive symptoms (b = .11, 95% CI: [.087, .128]). Furthermore, the study reveals the moderating roles of eHealth literacy, online patient-provider communication, and perceived social support, which significantly buffer the indirect effects of cyberchondria on depressive symptoms via sleep disturbances. These findings contribute to the growing body of literature by uncovering the complex interplay between cyberchondria, sleep health, and mental well-being. Moreover, the results emphasize the importance of multidimensional interventions targeting individual, professional, and social factors to mitigate the mental health risks associated with cyberchondria. The implications and limitations of the present study are also discussed.