Factors that Influence IT Students’ Cyberchondria: Perspectives from the Philippines

Abstract

Strides in bridging the digit al divide along with wider affordable Internet ushered in a society that is highly dependent on online informa tion. Diverse users with varying i nterests have used the Internet as a source of information to fulfill their needs such as individuals in the technology, healthcare and government sectors . While these benefits have been widely applauded, this thirst for knowledge online led to the birth of a prob lem called cyberchondria or the excessive search for medical information that may cause negative effects on an individual’s well-being. Information Technology students have been found to demonstrate a high level of computer self-efficacy allowing them to s earch for medical information online with ease making them more susceptible to cyberchondria . We a pproached 187 university students enrolled in an Information Technology program to answer a validated scale incorporating factors that have been found to be strong determinants of cyberchondria. Resu lts were analyzed using PLS -SEM and we found that a high degree of neuroticism and computer self -efficacy can lead to cyberchondria. While a low level of self- esteem , has a positive influence on cyberchondria , this cannot be supported at a significant level . Finally, i ntervention s and literacy programs would be valuable preventive systems in curbing the harmful effects of cyberchondria.