The mediating and moderating role of COVID-19 coping attitudes in the relationship between coronavirus anxiety and cyberchondria.

Publication date: Jun 09, 2026

The study uses structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine the relationships between coronavirus anxiety, coping attitudes toward COVID-19, and cyberchondria. It also tests the mediating and moderating roles of coping attitudes in the relationship between coronavirus anxiety and cyberchondria. The Coronavirus Anxiety Scale, the Cyberchondria Severity Short Version and the Pandemic Coping Scale was used in the study. The population of the study consisted of adults aged 20-65 residing in the eight central districts of Ankara, the capital of Turkey (KecE7icF6ren, Cankaya, Yenimahalle, Mamak, Etimesgut, Sincan, Altındağ, and Pursaklar). The study used a convenience sampling method, and an online survey has been administered to a total of 427 volunteer participants residing in Ankara’s central districts. Coronavirus anxiety and COVID-19 coping attitudes were significantly associated with cyberchondria, explaining 43% of the variance. More cyberchondrial behavior was observed in individuals experiencing higher coronavirus anxiety or exhibiting stronger coping attitudes towards COVID-19. Coronavirus anxiety showed a statistically significant positive association with cyberchondria (β = 0. 426, p  0. 05). Additionally, coping attitudes toward COVID-19 did not mediate the relationship between coronavirus anxiety and cyberchondria (β = 0. 000, p = 0. 062, p > 0. 05, CI = -0. 000, 0. 000). Furthermore, coping attitudes did not regulate the relationship between coronavirus anxiety and cyberchondria (β = 0. 048, p = 0. 212, p > 0. 05). In conclusion, this study shows that coping attitudes in the face of pandemic-related uncertainty do not function as a buffering or explanatory mechanism in this model.

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Concepts Keywords
Coronavirus Coronavirus Anxiety
Cyberchondrial Cyberchondria
Therapy
Turkey

Semantics

Type Source Name
disease MESH COVID-19
disease MESH anxiety
disease MESH face
pathway REACTOME Reproduction
disease MESH included
drug DRUGBANK Coenzyme M
disease MESH chronic diseases
disease MESH cardiovascular disease
disease MESH asthma
pathway KEGG Asthma
disease MESH cancer
disease MESH insomnia
disease MESH headaches
disease MESH psychiatric disorders
disease MESH acute stress disorder
disease MESH post traumatic stress disorder
disease MESH fatigue
disease MESH infection
drug DRUGBANK Ademetionine
disease MESH obsessive compulsive disorder
disease MESH hypochondriasis
disease MESH CSS
disease MESH CAS

Original Article

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