An examination of the relationship between cyberchondria, dysmenorrhea, and psychological well-being in women

OBJECTİVE: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between cyberchondria, dysmenorrhea, and psychological well-being in women. METHODS: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted between July 2024 and Jıne 2025 with a sample of 777 women living in Turkey. Data were analyzed using R (version 4.1.3), G*Power (version 3.1), and SPSS (version 22). RESULTS: Hierarchical regression analysis showed that the model was statistically significant and valid (F(2,774) = 41.175, p = 0.001). Levels of dysmenorrhea and cyberchondria together explained 9.6% of the variance in psychological well-being (R² = 0.096). Increases in both dysmenorrhea (t = -6.519, p < 0.001) and cyberchondria (t = -5.205, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with decreases in psychological well-being. Additionally, a machine learning approach using SHAP values identified dysmenorrhea as the most influential variable on psychological well-being. CONCLUSION: As dysmenorrhea and cyberchondria levels increase in women, psychological well-being decreases. Further longitudinal studies are recommended to better understand the impact of dysmenorrhea and cyberchondria on psychological well-being. Keywords: Women, Cyberchondria, Dysmenorrhea, Psychological Well-Being