Investigation of the relationship between cyberchondria, depression, anxiety and stress among pregnant women

Aim: This study was conducted to examine the relationship between cyberchondria, depression, anxiety and stress in pregnant women. Materials and Methods: The sample of the descriptive and cross-sectional study included 329 pregnant women agreed to participate and who applied to the obstetrics outpatient clinics and pregnancy school of a district state hospital in the Aegean region of Turkey. The data were collected between June 5 and September 29, 2023 using the Personal Information Form, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASÖ-21) and Cyberchondria Severity Scale Short Form (CSS-12). Descriptive statistical methods, t test and One Way ANOVA Pearson correlation analysis, multiple regression analysis test were used in the analysis of the data. The reliability analysis of the scales was evaluated with Cronbach's Alpha reliability coefficient. Results: Depression was at "mild" levels in 9.4% "moderate" levels in 22.8%, "advanced" levels in 9.1%, and "very advanced" levels in 6.1% of the pregnant women. Anxiety was at "mild" levels in 8.8% of the pregnant women, "moderate" levels in 21%, "advanced" levels in 12.5%, and "very advanced" levels in 32.5% of the pregnant women. Stress was at "mild" levels in 12.5% of the pregnant women, "moderate" levels in 17%, "advanced" levels in 18.2%, and "very advanced" levels in 4% of the pregnant women. It was determined that 47.4% of pregnant women had depression, 74.8% of them had anxiety and 51.7% had stress when "mild, moderate, advanced, and very advanced" levels were taken together. Pregnant women's mean depression score 5.36±4.49, mean anxiety score was 7.46±5.03 and mean stress score of pregnant women was 7.98±4.86, Cybechondria Severity Scale total mean score was 33.97±8.84. It was determined that there were moderate level positively correlations between the Cyberchondria Severity Scale score, the mean depression, anxiety and stress scores (p<0.05). In multiple regression analysis, anxiety, stress and frequency of visiting a doctor during pregnancy were found to be significant predictors of cyberchondria severity. Conclusion: It was found that the frequency of anxiety and depression was higher in pregnant women, the frequency of stress was lower and the severity of cyberchondria was associated with depression, anxiety and stress. It is recommended to increase the awareness of health personnel in monitoring pregnant women in terms of stress, anxiety, depression and cyberchondria severity. Keywords: Anxiety, depression, pregnant women, cyberchondria, stress.