The association between fear of Covid-19 and smartphone addiction among individuals: the mediating and moderating role of cyberchondria severity

Yam, FC, Korkmaz, O and Griffiths, MD ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8880-6524, 2023. The association between fear of Covid-19 and smartphone addiction among individuals: the mediating and moderating role of cyberchondria severity. Current Psychology, 42 (3), pp. 2377-2390. ISSN 1046-1310

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Abstract

The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has quickly spread all over the world and has contributed to psychological consequences including fear of the virus. Depending upon the severity of their problems, individuals often search the internet via their mobile devices to understand whether the symptoms they perceive are symptoms of the disease. This condition has been termed 'cyberchondria'. In this context, the aim of this study is examine the mediating and moderating role of cyberchondria severity in the association between smartphone addiction and the fear of COVID-19. The sample comprised 520 participants (335 females [64.4%], 185 males [35.6%] aged 17 to 65 years [Mean = 28.61 years, SD = 10.60]). A survey included the Cyberchondria Severity Scale Short-Form, The Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version, and The Fear of COVID-19 Scale. Structural equation modeling and SPSS Process Macro moderator variable analysis were used to test the research model. The study found a positive association between smartphone addiction, fear of COVID-19, and cyberchondria severity. Cyberchondria severity had both moderating and mediating role in the association between smartphone addiction and the fear of COVID-19. In conclusion, it has been determined that during the COVID-19 pandemic, cyberchondria severity has negative effects on individuals' fear of COVID-19.

Item Type:	Journal article
Publication Title:	Current Psychology
Creators:	Yam, F.C., Korkmaz, O. and Griffiths, M.D.
Publisher:	Springer (part of Springer Nature)
Date:	January 2023
Volume:	42
Number:	3
ISSN:	1046-1310
Identifiers:	Number Type 10.1007/s12144-021-02324-z DOI 1480940 Other
Rights:	Post-prints are subject to Springer Nature re-use terms
Divisions:	Schools > School of Social Sciences
Record created by:	Laura Ward
Date Added:	22 Oct 2021 16:03
Last Modified:	22 May 2023 08:18
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/44498

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