Cyberchondria and Stress in Women Undergoing Infertility Treatment

Condition(s) studied

Study summary

This study examines how searching for health information on the internet may affect stress and emotional well-being in women undergoing infertility treatment. Infertility is a common condition that impacts about 48 million couples worldwide and can cause not only physical challenges but also significant emotional strain, including anxiety, depression, and stress. Many women turn to the internet to seek answers about their condition and treatment. While online information can be helpful, it is not always accurate or consistent, which can increase worry and confusion. This repeated and sometimes excessive searching for health information, known as "cyberchondria," has been linked in previous research to increased stress and anxiety. This study will assess women's online information-seeking patterns, infertility-related stress, and overall emotional and social well-being, aiming to better understand the role of cyberchondria in the infertility treatment process. The results may help healthcare professionals offer more targeted support and guidance to women facing these challenges.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Introductory Information Form — At baseline (one-time assessment at enrollment)
  This form includes 24 questions divided into four sections covering women's sociodemographic details, health information, digital health search behaviors, and reproductive health.
• Screening Tool on Distress in Fertility Treatment (SCREEN-IVF) — At baseline (one-time assessment at enrollment)
  A 28-item scale assessing psychosocial risk factors in individuals undergoing infertility treatment. It includes subscales for anxiety, social support, helplessness, acceptance, and depression. Scores above specific cutoff points indicate elevated risk levels in these areas.
• Infertility Stress Scale — At baseline (one-time assessment at enrollment)
  Consists of 14 items across three subscales: Personal Stress (6 items), Marital Stress (4 items), and Social Stress (4 items). Higher scores reflect increased stress levels. Items are rated on Likert scales, with score ranges for each subscale indicating the severity of stress.
• Short Form of the Cyberchondria Severity Scale — At baseline (one-time assessment at enrollment)
  A 12-item scale measuring severity of excessive online health searches, covering Excessiveness, Distress, Reassurance, and Compulsion subscales. Items scored on a 5-point Likert scale. Higher total scores indicate greater cyberchondria severity

Trial sites (1)

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