ABSTRACT
Repetitive online searches for health information increase anxieties and result in Internet addiction. Internet addiction, cyberchondria, anxiety sensitivity, and hypochondria have been studied separately, but how these concepts are reciprocally linked has not been investigated. This study aimed to determine the levels, correlations, and predictors of Internet addiction, cyberchondria, anxiety sensitivity, and hypochondria among students based on the sample's characteristics. A sample of 143 university students participated in this cross-sectional online survey. A self-reported questionnaire was employed to collect data from students. The studied concepts had moderate to high correlations with each other and with the students' characteristics. Not getting infected with the coronavirus was among the demographic factors inserted into the regression model that only predicted cyberchondria. The model of cyberchondria was significant and explained 11.5% of the variance in the score of concepts. The results of the standard regression analysis indicated that the model predicting Internet addiction accounted for 41.2% of the variability. Our unique findings indicate that cyberchondria can contribute to developing Internet addiction compared to earlier studies. The findings suggest the importance of empowering students to overcome their anxieties by managing cyberchondria and Internet addiction. Mental health professionals, namely psychiatric nurses, are at the forefront of taking preventive mental health measures on campus, such as screening and referring students who exhibit these problems to psychological support and counseling to cope with their anxieties.
ABSTRACT
Repetitive online searches for health information increase anxieties and result in Internet addiction. Internet addiction, cyberchondria, anxiety sensitivity, and hypochondria have been studied separately, but how these concepts are reciprocally linked has not been investigated. This study aimed to determine the levels, correlations, and predictors of Internet addiction, cyberchondria, anxiety sensitivity, and hypochondria among students based on the sample’s characteristics. A sample of 143 university students participated in this cross-sectional online survey. A self-reported questionnaire was employed to collect data from students. The studied concepts had moderate to high correlations with each other and with the students’ characteristics. Not getting infected with the coronavirus was among the demographic factors inserted into the regression model that only predicted cyberchondria. The model of cyberchondria was significant and explained 11.5% of the variance in the score of concepts. The results of the standard regression analysis indicated that the model predicting Internet addiction accounted for 41.2% of the variability. Our unique findings indicate that cyberchondria can contribute to developing Internet addiction compared to earlier studies. The findings suggest the importance of empowering students to overcome their anxieties by managing cyberchondria and Internet addiction. Mental health professionals, namely psychiatric nurses, are at the forefront of taking preventive mental health measures on campus, such as screening and referring students who exhibit these problems to psychological support and counseling to cope with their anxieties.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Developing a safety culture in hospitals improves patient safety-related initiatives. Limited recent knowledge about patient safety culture (PSC) exists in the healthcare context. AIMS: This study assessed nurses' reporting on the predictors and outcomes of PSC and the differences between the patient safety grades and the number of events reported across the components of PSC. METHODS: A cross-sectional comparative research design was conducted. The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (https://www.strobe-statement.org/index.php?id=available-checklists) guided the study. The researcher recruited a convenience sample of 300 registered nurses using the hospital survey on patient safety culture, with a response rate of 75%. RESULTS: Nurses reported PSC to be 'moderate'. Areas of strength in PSC were non-punitive responses to errors and teamwork within units. Areas that needed improvements were the supervisor's/manager's expectations and actions in promoting safety and communication openness. Some significant correlations were reported among PSC components. Significant differences in means were observed for patient safety grades in six out of the ten PSC components and one outcome item. Organisational learning/continuous improvement, hospital handoffs and transitions, years of experience in the current hospital, the supervisor's/manager's expectations and actions in promoting safety and gender predicted PSC. Of the outcomes, around half of the sample reported a 'very good' patient safety grade, and 'no events' or 'one to two events' only were reported, and nurses 'agreed' on the majority of items, which indicates a positive perception about the overall PSC in the hospitals. In addition, nurses 'most of the time' reported the events when they occurred. PSC components correlated significantly and moderately with PSC outcomes. CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: PSC was moderate with an overall positive nurses' perceptions. PSC's strengths should be maintained, and areas of improvement should be prioritised and immediately tackled. Assessing PSC is the first step in improving hospitals' overall performance and quality of services, and improving patient safety practices is essential to improving PSC and clinical outcomes.
Subject(s)
Organizational Culture , Patient Safety , Cross-Sectional Studies , Humans , Safety Management , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Previous literature has investigated the association of this phenomenon and Internet addiction. Nevertheless, little research has been conducted to elucidate the predictive associations among these concepts among students. OBJECTIVE: This study reported students' cyberchondria and Internet addiction, and it examined whether cyberchondria predicts Internet addiction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: During the COVID-19 pandemic, cross-sectional data were collected using a web survey from a convenience snowball sample of 143 students enrolled in e-learning courses at a governmental university. RESULTS: A moderate level of cyberchondria and a mild level of Internet addiction was evident among students. A moderate level of cyberchondria and a mild level of Internet addiction was evident among students. Moderate to high significant correlations were reported among the studied concepts and with the sample's characteristics. Cyberchondria and unavailability of the Internet at school were predictors of Internet addiction. IMPLICATIONS: Healthcare providers, including nurses, should provide information that preserves students' mental health during stressful periods such as the COVID-19 pandemic and should offer clear instructions on stress and anxiety management during such times. A longer scale, especially for cyberchondria, is warranted in future research with a random and larger sample. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that cyberchondria serves as a predictor of Internet addiction, contrary to findings of previous studies. Various psychosocial interventions should always be initiated to help students prevent or address cyberchondria and Internet addiction.