Research Sample

EFFECTS OF CYBERCHONDRIA (HEALTH ANXIETY CAUSED BY INTERNET) ON
GRADE 12 STUDENTS OF HOLY DELIVERANCE INTEGRATED CHRISTIAN
SCHOOL
In Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements
for the Subject – Research Subject
By:
Banghon, Denise Tria M.
Cruz, Aira Mae Q.
Hugo, Norvin John
Suarez, Kimmy Joyce T.
March 2021
Holy Deliverance Integrated Christian School
4A Macopa St. Aurora Subd Brgy San Isidro Angono, Rizal
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
In the present world of competition, there is a race of existence in which those are
having the will to come forward to succeed. First of all, we would like to thank the
supreme power of the Almighty God who is obviously the one who has always guiding
us to work on the right path of our lives. Without his grace, this project could not
become a reality. Next to him are our parents, whom we are greatly indebted. They
brought us up with love and encouragement to this stage. At last but not least we are
thankful to all our teachers and friends who have been always helping to encourage us
throughout the year. We have no valuable words to express our thanks, but our heart is
still full of the favors received from everyone.
DEDICATION
This study is wholeheartedly dedicated to our beloved parents, who have been our
source of inspiration and gave us strength when we thought of giving up; continually
provide their moral, spiritual, emotional, and financial support.
To our brothers, sisters, teachers, classmates, and friends who shared their words of
advice and encouragement to finish this study.
And lastly, we dedicated this book to the Almighty God, thank you for the guidance,
strength, power of mind, protection and skills and forgiving us a healthy life. All of this
we offer to you.
ABSTRACT
A national lockdown was introduced in March of the year 2020 in the Philippines
because of a pandemic. Many people can’t go outside to have a check-up in hospitals
that’s why they rely upon the internet. Cyberchondria is a relatively new term addressing
health anxiety associated with online information. Research data is scarce, as most
instruments measuring anxiety do not consider online behavior an important factor. This
study aims to know the effect of cyberchondria on the students of Holy Deliverance
Integrated Christian School. The study was designed with phenomenological method,
which is one of the qualitative research designs. The research was conducted with 20
grade 12 students at Holy Deliverance Integrated Christian School as the participants of
the study. This research is written in the design of the Descriptive-Survey as the
phenomenon of effect of cyberchondria was identified and data was collected by asking
a list of questions or survey. For the methodology of research, percentage and
frequency and weighted mean were used. The results of the study showed that there
are students who have been paying attention with their health during pandemic. They
rely on the internet in online health searching for their symptoms and conditions. In
addition, the online searching habit can be an interruption in everyday life of the student.
We concluded that cyberchondria denotes excessive and repeated online health-related
searches associated with an increase in health anxiety. Such searches persist in those
with cyberchondria, despite the negative consequences, resembling a pattern of
compulsive Internet use.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Acknowledgement
Dedication
Abstract
Chapter I: The Problem and Its Background Introduction
Background of the Study

Theoretical Framework
Statement of the Problem
Hypothesis of the Study
Significance of the Study
Scope and Delimitation
Definition of Terms
Chapter II: Review of Related Literature of the Studies
Foreign Studies
Local Studies
Chapter III: Research Methodology
Research Design
Locale of the Study
Sampling Technique
Instrumentation
Procedure of the Studies
Data Analysis
Chapter IV: Presentation, Analysis, and Interpretation of Data
Chapter V: Summary of Findings and Implications, Conclusions, and Recommendation
Summary of Findings
Conclusions
Recommendation
Bibliography
Appendix
Survey Questionnaires
CHAPTER 1
THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND
Chapter 1 will be the rationale of this research which will be the foundation of this
research. This part will be composed of the introduction to this study and the problems
that is needed to be solved after making this research successful. Chapter 1 would also
show the basics of this research that would help to construct this study.
INTRODUCTION
Looking for information about symptoms and illnesses on the Internet is common and
often serves useful purposes. However, a number of people who are overly distressed
or anxious about their health perform excessive or repeated health-related searches on
the Internet, only to become more distressed or frightened - a pattern defined here as
cyberchondria. This behavior, which can also be called as a form of reassurance
seeking and occurs as a manifestation of health anxiety and hypochondriasis. The
antecedents of cyberchondria, factors that maintain it and its consequences are
examined conceptually and in light of the relatively little research that has been
performed so far. Managing cyberchondria poses a challenge, and several approaches
as part of the treatment of health anxiety and hypochondriasis are described.
During public health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic the factors that contribute
to cyberchondria. It increases the fear of many individuals because of the symptoms
that is most likely similar as having flu symptoms. Many people rely and trust the
internet about it. Cyberchondria has significant public health implications because of the
associated distress or functional impairment and effects on health behaviors.
Cyberchondria should be addressed by targeting a heightened perception of threat,
improving management of uncertainty and online health information and promoting an
ability to critically appraise the results of online health searches. This should contribute
to better online health information literacy. The model of cyberchondria during the
COVID-19 pandemic explains the hypothesized rise in cyberchondria during public

health emergencies and helps to formulate a framework for prevention of cyberchondria
and its effective management.
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
A review in the British Medical Journal publication Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery,

and Psychiatry from 2003 says cyberchondria was used in 2001 in an article in the
United Kingdom newspaper The Independent to describe "the excessive use of internet
health sites to fuel health anxiety." The BBC also used cyberchondria in April, 2001. The
BMJ review also cites the 1997 book from Elaine Showalter, who writes the internet, is a
new way to spread "pathogenic ideas" like Gulf War syndrome and myalgic
encephalomyelitis. Patients with cyberchondria and patients of general hypochondriasis
often are convinced they have disorders "with common or ambiguous symptoms."
Although there is no consensus, most definitions of cyberchondria emphasize online

health research associated with heightened distress or anxiety. The two theoretical
models of cyberchondria involve reassurance seeking and specific metacognitive
beliefs. Cyberchondria has relationships with health anxiety, problematic Internet use
and symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder, with public health implications
pertaining to functional impairment and altered healthcare utilization. Suggestions about
prevention and management of cyberchondria have been put forward, but not tested
yet. Research interest in cyberchondria has steadily increased. It is uncertain whether
cyberchondria can be considered a distinct entity. Future research should aim to clarify
the conceptual status of cyberchondria, quantify its impact and develop evidence-based
approaches for a better control of cyberchondria.
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
From self-esteem and cyberchondria: The Meditation effects of health anxiety and
obsessive-compulsive symptoms in a community sample.
Health Anxiety
Self-esteem Cyberchondria
Obsessive-compulsive
Symptoms
Given that low self-esteem is a possible risk factor for health anxiety, obsessive-
compulsive symptoms, and PIU, one might speculate that cyberchondria would also be
linked. Therefore, we sought to investigate the direct relationship between self-esteem
and cyberchondria and the mediating position in the relationship between self-esteem
and cyberchondria of health anxiety and obsessive-compulsive symptoms.
The direction of effects is somewhat ambiguous when analyzing mediation using cross-
sectional data. Different psychopathologies may have a negative impact on self-esteem,
according to clinical research described earlier. Cyberchondria can thus specifically
predict self-esteem as well as through health anxiety and obsessive-compulsive
symptoms. Therefore, we checked the reverse parallel mediation model of the
cyberchondria-self-esteem relationship with the same mediators.
HYPOTHESIS OF THE STUDY
Our primary hypothesis was confirmed by people with higher levels of disease anxiety
who would be more likely to remember greater discomfort during and after online
checking. Internet-using people with higher levels of disease anxiety have recorded fear
of more diseases and greater functional disability, but paradoxically, these people also
reported that they were less likely to have a medication. Accordingly, internet use for
longer durations was associated with increased functional disability and a reminder of
increased anxiety both during and after online symptom monitoring. Longer internet
usage was correspondingly associated with increased functional disability and a
reminder of increased anxiety both before and after online symptom checking. These
findings can improve the work of a clinician with hypochondriacally patients as these
patients turn to the internet in the hope that testing may decrease their anxiety. While
our research is certainly not evidence of this phenomenon, it is highly suggestive and
consistent with the cognitive-behavioral models that theorize that health anxiety is
sustained by reassurance-seeking.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
This study aims to gain more knowledge about how the “Effects of Cyberchondria
(Health Anxiety Caused By Internet)” affects the Grade 12 students of Holy Deliverance
Integrated Christian School.
Specifically, it sought to answer the following questions:
1. What is the profile of the respondents in terms of:

1.1. Age
1.2. Sex
2. How can cyberchondria influence health and well-being?
3. Can thinking about an illness cause symptoms?

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
Input Process Analysis
Effects of Cyberchondria Conducting a survey Analyze the data
(health anxiety caused by questionnaire about the gathered in the

internet) on Grade 12 effects of
survey.
Students of Holy Cyberchondria on
Deliverance Integrated Interpretation and
grade 12 students of
Christian School. presentation of the
HDICS thru messenger
application. data gathered.
Figure 1: Research Paradigm of the Study
The input will be the title of this research because this will be the focus and base of our
study. After having a title for this research, the researchers will prepare the necessary
data for this research and will be conducting a survey questionnaire which is in the
process. The output of this research will be the analyzation, interpretation, and
presentation of all the gathered data.
ASSUMPTION OF THE STUDY
This study about the Effects of Cyberchondria on Grade 12 students would make us
understands how do they face and handle it. We would also gain knowledge about what
really caused this health anxiety and how do we handle it. The result of this research
would help us to comprehend the conduct of the millennial about mental health.
SCOPE AND DELIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
This study is focused on the “Effects of Cyberchondria (Health Anxiety Caused By

Internet) of the Grade 12 students of Holy Deliverance Integrated Christian School”.
This study will know what the symptoms are and what factors are affecting our daily
lives. This research will solely focus on the Grade 12 students and the researchers
would conduct an interview to the selected students of Grade 12 Students of Holy
Deliverance Integrated Christian School. One of the interview questions that would be
asked to the selected students would be “How can cyberchondria influence health and
well-being?” that would reflect the answer for this research.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The result of this research would be a great help to the following:

Students - This research will help the students to know what is cyberchondria and how
to avoid and handle it in future.
Teacher- This research will help the teachers to create supportive environment. Instead
of researching delicate topics in the internet and giving misleading information, the
teachers can provide recommendation to seek for professional help.
School- This research will help the school to raise awareness about the wrong
information in the internet especially about their health.
Community - This research will help the community for them to understand what
cyberchondria is and be careful about searching everything in the internet because it
can lead to some serious cases.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Anxiety - your body’s natural response to stress. It’s a feeling of fear or apprehension
about what’s to come.
Cyberchondria- refers to a person's anxiety about their health that is created or

exacerbated by using the internet to search for medical information. A British
newspaper coined the term in the early 2000s as a play on the word hypochondria. Like
hypochondria, cyberchondria involves excessive anxiety about health.
Effect - a change which is a result or consequence of an action or other cause.
Hypochondriasis- Illness anxiety disorder, sometimes called hypochondriasis or health

anxiety, is worrying excessively that you are or may become seriously ill.
Illness - state of poor health or illness; a disease of body or mind.
Internet - a global computer network providing a variety of information and

communication facilities, consisting of interconnected networks using standardized
communication protocols.
Mental Health- is a person’s condition with regard to their psychological and emotional
well-being.
Symptoms - a physical or mental feature which is regarded as indicating a condition of

disease, particularly such a feature that is apparent to the patient.
Well-being - the state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy.

CHAPTER 2
Chapter 2 will show the previous related literatures and studies that has
been conducted. This will serve as the base for the results of this research and to
have a background that is related to this research.
Foreign Studies
Thomas A. Fergus (2013), there was a study about Cyberchondria and Intolerance of
Uncertainty Individuals frequently use the Internet to search for medical information.
However, the purpose of this study, for some individuals, is to find medical information
on the Internet in connection with an exacerbation of health anxiety. This phenomenon
has been referred to by researchers as cyberchondria. The present thesis aimed to
shed further light on the phenomenology of cyberchondria. In particular, using a broad
sample of healthy people with appropriate communities residing in the United States (N
= 512), the moderate impact of intolerance (IU) of short-term contact between the
frequency of Internet searches for medical knowledge and health anxiety was
examined. It supported the purported moderating effect of IU. More precisely, as the IU
has grown, the connection between the frequency of Internet medical knowledge
searches and health anxiety has increased. The moderate effect of this IU cannot be
attributed to general anxiety. These findings indicate that in order to better understand
the exacerbation of health anxiety in response to Internet medical knowledge searches,
IU is necessary. The conceptual and clinical effects of these outcomes are presented.
Dr. Chin-Sheng Wan and Wen-Bin Chiou (2006), there was a study about psychological
motives and online games addiction. The negative influence of online games has
obviously gained a lot of attention and has become a common research subject for the
purpose of this review. This study investigated the psychological motives of Taiwanese
teenagers who are addicted to online games, from flow theory and humanistic needs
theory. The aim of Study 1 was to investigate the relationship between the state of flow
of players and their addiction to online games. The findings showed that the flow state
was negatively linked to the addictive propensity and was not a significant predictor of
the players' subsequent additive preferences. Findings have also shown that the flow
state of the addicts was substantially lower than that of the nonaddicts Thus, the flow
condition may not be the primary psychological mechanism of addiction to players. In
Study 2, the findings showed that the psychological needs of online game players are
similar to the theory that the dimensions of pleasure and dissatisfaction are defined by
two factors. The need-gratification of addicted players was close to the unsatisfactory
factor feature. That is, the lack of playing video games is more likely to cause
frustration, it seems that the compulsive use of the addict in online games comes from
the relief of dissatisfaction instead of the pursuit of pleasure. In contrast, online games
tend to provide the nonaddicts with a sense of satisfaction rather than a sense of
dissatisfaction.
Human Behavior and Emerging Technologies (2020), there was a study about
cyberchondria in the time of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Cyberchondria is an intense or
repeated search of online health information correlated with growing levels of health
anxiety or depression. The purpose of this study is cyberchondria. During public health
emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic, this article provides a model of
cyberchondria. Factors contributing to cyberchondria at this time include, an increased
threat and fear of a newly identified and less understood disease, difficulty in achieving
pandemic uncertainty, lack of authority and reliable resources related health
information, difficulty dealing with the abundance of information that is often confusing,
contradictory, unverified and constantly updated, including reduced ability to filter out
unnecessary information, and inability to over-health online seeking to provide
necessary information and deliver assurance. These factors exacerbate fear and
anxiety, adding to the perception of threat and uncertainty and continuing further online
health searches. Cyberchondria has significant public health implications because of the
associated anxiety or functional impairment and health behavioral effects.
Cyberchondria should be addressed by targeting a heightened perception of threat,
improving management of uncertainty and online health information and promoting an
ability to critically appraise the results of online health searches. This should contribute
to a better online health information literacy. The model of cyberchondria during the
COVID - 19 pandemic explains the perceived rise of cyberchondria during public health
emergencies and helps develop a framework for the prevention of cyberchondria and its
effective management
There was a report on the Effects of Health Anxiety on Information-Seeking and Health
Care Utilization Behaviors, according to Dr. Matthew S. Eastin and Natalie M. Guinsler
(2006). While online health information-seeking has been widely studied and results
indicate a number of motives behind the actions of a person seeking health information,
little is known about how this information affects patterns of health use. The current
research thus explores the relationship between the quest for online health records and
the usage of health care, such as seeing a doctor. Additionally, by exploring the
moderating function of health anxiety, this project extends the literature. Results indicate
that the degree of health anxiety of a person moderates the relationship between finding
online health information and decisions on the use of health care.
According to these three researchers Mindy M. Kibbey, Erick J. Fedorenko, and

Samantha G. Farris (2021), there was a study about anxiety, depression, and health
anxiety in undergraduate students living in initial US outbreak “hotspot” during COVID-
19 pandemic. Evidence of the psychological distress associated with the COVID-19
pandemic has been reported globally, including depression, anxiety and health anxiety.
College students are a distinctive sub-set of the population associated with the
pandemic with chronically high psychological distress, and well-informed intervention is
urgently needed. To our knowledge, the current research is the first to document the
impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of undergraduates in a highly
affected area of the United States. Cross-sectional, self-report data on psychological
distress and COVID-19 exposure were collected from a racially and ethnically diverse
sample of 641 undergraduates between April 7–9 May 2020. Almost half of the
students, including health anxiety, general anxiety, and depression, showed elevated
psychological distress. Heightened risk of psychological distress was associated with
female sex, a COVID-19 case in one’s immediate social network, underlying medical
vulnerabilities, and recent experience of viral symptoms. Vigilance to viral symptoms
and worry about coronavirus were also factors associated with more severe
psychological distress. Some of the factors associated with a greater risk of
experiencing psychological distress due to COVID-19 are outlined in the current study
and can be used to advise the spread of psychological treatments.
Local Studies
Exploring Gender Dimensions in Internet Self-Efficacy in the Philippines Manuel C.

Manuel III, University of the Philippines Diliman Given the pervasiveness of the Internet
and related technologies, opportunities and challenges related to their development,
implementation and usage by individuals and organizations have arisen. Individuals’
beliefs in their ability to effectively utilize the Internet and perform Internet‐related tasks
can affect the way they use, transact and communicate in the Internet. Additionally, this
Internet self‐efficacy may be influenced by gender differences. Responses to two
interrelated Internet self‐efficacy scales (Internet Self-Efficacy scale with 39 items
across seven factors and the Sources of Internet Self-Efficacy scale with 11 items
comprising three factors) administered to 127 Filipinos of varying ages, educational
backgrounds and work backgrounds (63 men and 64 women) were analyzed. Results
indicated that, overall, there is no significant difference between men and women in
almost all of the different factors associated with Internet self-efficacy and sources of
Internet self-efficacy although there is a significant difference between males and
females when it comes to psychological and affective states, specifically Internet

anxiety. Understanding how gender differences can be mitigated in different
environments like the home, school or workplace can help in motivating more people,
regardless of gender, to make use of the Internet more confidently and harness its
potential in their day to day lives. Understanding how the different factors related to
Internet self-efficacy and the sources of Internet self-efficacy can influence people’s
behavior and attitudes towards the Internet would also contribute positively to gradually
eliminating any gender differences that may be present.
Computer Anxiety, Self - Efficacy and Attitudes towards Internet of Cagayan State
University Students November 2015 Conference: 2015 International Research and
Education Conference Project: E-Waste Awareness, Practices, and Management
Authors: Billy S. Javier Cagayan State University. The study investigated the computer
anxiety, self-efficacy levels and attitudes towards the Internet of the students of the
Cagayan State University (CSU), Aparri, Cagayan, Philippines, and their relationships
and differences based on sex and college. Descriptive-correlational research design
was used to investigate the perceived self-efficacy, anxiety, and attitude towards
internet using a 4-part survey-questionnaire to obtain the responses of the 366 students
selected randomly using a stratified sample. Findings revealed that regardless of
courses, CSU students possesses a highly confident self-efficacy levels in the use of
computers and a positive attitude towards the utilization of the Internet especially
among younger males, and a lower anxiety level on the use of and implications on the
challenges of the computers. Further, the lesser anxiety in the use of computers they
have, the more positive attitudes are conveyed towards their use of the Internet. It is
concluded that students of CSU are technically competent in the use of computers and
Internet to school, work and at home and are ready to take the challenge of the ASEAN
integration. It is recommended that teachers be gender-biased in the utilization of
computers and the internet in teaching and learning at the early school years.
Personality Traits of Future Nurses and Cyberchondria: Findings from an Emerging

Economy Josephine de la Cuesta, Jypzie Catedrilla, Ryan Ebardo, Laiza Limpin, Cecilia
Leaño, Hazel Trapero The Internet is intricately embedded in our everyday lives and
has become a valuable source of information to support learning due to its accessibility
and decreasing costs. However, the rising costs of healthcare resulted in students
seeking medical information from online health websites contributing unnecessary
stress to their academic lives. In developing economies, however, the overloaded
information from the Internet brings forth severe risks to these individuals by exposing
themselves to inaccurate and inappropriate information in addressing their perceived
conditions and symptoms. Cyberchondria is the speculative escalation of anxieties
about common health issues which is grounded on the assessment of online
information to satisfy medical curiosity. The personality traits of nursing students in
higher education are utilized to identify which among these traits can lead to
cyberchondria by examining 207 responses through a structural equation model
technique. Analysis of data reveals that the individual personality traits of
conscientiousness and neuroticism are positively associated with cyberchondria.
Practical and academic implications are discussed in relation to the role of technology in
nursing education.
The Good, The Bad and the Ugly: Internet Use, Outcomes and the Role of Regulation in
the Philippines
Ma. Regina M. Hechanova Renee Ortega‐Go
This study expands the Uses and Gratification Theory by examining Internet use and its
outcomes among Filipino Internet users. It also tests the Social Cognitive Theory by
examining the role of both self and external regulation on Internet use outcomes. The
study was done in two phases. In the first phase, interviews were conducted to elicit
how the Internet is used as well as perceptions of healthy versus problematic Internet
use. In the second phase, surveys were administered to 387 respondents from all over
the Philippines. Results revealed that purposes or activities using the Internet can be
grouped into seven factors, namely basic Internet use, entertainment, expression and
interaction, e‐commerce, school‐related, and technological deviance. Although the last
three have been cited in other studies, they have not been included in past taxonomies.
Positive outcomes of Internet use are greater productivity and personal enhancement.
Negative outcomes can be described in terms of social harm and Internet addiction.
Results link specific usage with outcomes. The use of Internet to express oneself and
interact predicted both personal enhancement and problematic Internet use. Basic
Internet use and entertainment predicted problematic Internet use. External regulation
predicts personal harm and social harm but not productivity and addiction. Self‐
regulation is associated with greater productivity and personal enhancement and is
negatively related to social harm and addiction. Self‐regulated was also a strongest
predictor of both positive outcomes suggesting that beyond putting in controls for
Internet use, developing users ability to self‐regulate are more important in enabling the
productive use of the Internet.
CHAPTER 3
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Chapter 3 will show how, where, and when this research will be conducted. In this part
the researchers will state the design of this research and the ways on how the
researchers chose the respondents for this research.
Research Design
The information needed in this research will be collected by using a qualitative type of
research design. This research will be using the phenomenology research design
because this research will need the first person experience of the respondents about
how they handle their anxiety cause by internet. This study would know their responds
about. We will be acquiring the information through questionnaires composed of open
ended questions to the Grade 12 students of Holy Deliverance Integrated Christian
School because this will be the most effective way to learn the different effects of
cyberchondria.
Subject of the Study
The subject of this study would be the Grade 12 students of Holy Deliverance Integrated
Christian School. The researchers chose them as the subject of the study because
Grade 12 students also experience having an anxiety because of too much using the
internet and they are the most available for this research. They also have their own
experience about this study so they would be the most suitable to be the respondents of
this research.
Locale of the Study
The research of this study was conducted in the Holy Deliverance Integrated Christian
School. The researchers chose the Grade 12 because all of the students in the School
Year 2020-2021 because it is the most reachable respondents that is fitting for this
study. The Holy Deliverance Integrated Christian School has accepted the Senior High
School students enrolees starting School Year 2020-2021 so it will be the best locale for
this study.
Sampling Technique
The researchers would be using a Stratified random sampling technique by choosing 7

students for the ABM and STEM strand and 6 students from TVL strand. There are 3
strands in grade 12 so the researchers would have a total of 20 respondents for the
research. These respondents will help the study to obtain the necessary information
needed in this research.
Instrumentation
The instrument that this research would be using is the survey composed of open
ended questions. By using this method, the researchers would be able to learn and
gather the data needed for this research. The researchers will prepare questions for the
respondents that would solve the problem of this research so they will be able to answer
the necessary details that will help the research to be successful.
Procedure of the study
The researchers prepared the necessities of the research. After being able to finish the
first chapter of this research containing the statement of the problem, the researchers
would be able to make the questionnaires for the students of Grade 12. After gathering
the data, the researchers interpreted the data gathered so that they would be able to
present the data with the solution of the statement of the problem.
Data Analysis
The researchers chose 20 students from 3 strands of Grade 12. After gathering the
necessary data for the research, the researchers will prepare the tables to be ready for
the presentation and they will also prepare to analyse and interpret the findings. The
data will help answer the problem of the research and know the effects of cyberchondria
in the students of grade 12 in Holy Deliverance Integrated Christian School.
CHAPTER 4
This chapter presents the analysis and interpretation of data about the research entitled
“Effects of Cyberchondria (Health Anxiety Caused By Internet) on Grade 12 Students of
Holy Deliverance Integrated Christian School”. The data were gathered, analyzed,
treated and interpreted using various statistical treatments to meet the objectives of the
study.
1. Demographic Profile of the Respondents
Table 1.1
Frequency and Percentage Distribution of Respondents According to Age
Age Frequency Percentage Rank

17 years old 2 10% 2
18 years old 14 70% 1
19 years old 2 10% 3
20 years old 2 5% 4
Total 20 100%
Table 1.1 and Figure 1 shows that out of 20 respondents, there are 70% that is 18 years old,
10% who is 17 years old, 10% who is 19 years old and 5% that is 20 years old. According to
Donnellan and Robins (2009) within the different periods of an individual's lifespan, his
behaviour would change as the mind will be mature as they grow older and perceive things
differently.
Table 1.2
Frequency and Percentage Distribution of Respondents According to Gender
Gender Frequency Percentage

Male 10 50%
Female 10 50%
Total 20 100%
Table 1.2 shows that out of 20 respondents, there are 50% of respondents are male
and 50% of respondents are female. According to Kovalic (2008), the male and female
perceive the world differently, they learn differently, they act differently and express their
emotions differently. Also Ennis (2012) stated that sex is one of the big factors when it
comes to difference between the behavior and attitude of the students.
Table 2
Categorized Answers of the Respondents
2. Frequency And Percentage On How Often They Pay Attention To Their

Health.
Choices Frequency Percentage
Always 14 70%
Sometimes 6 30%
Rarely 0 0
Never 0 0
In Table 2, 70% of the respondents answered that they always pay attention to their
health, while 30% answered sometimes. It shows that they don’t forget to pay attention
about their health especially during these times of pandemic.
3. How does online health information make you feel?
Situation Frequency Percentage
I always feel reassured/confident after looking at medical 4 20%

information online.
On occasion, my online health searches will cause me to 6 30%

become more anxious about my health.
My online health searches often cause me to become 10 50%

concerned about serious health conditions.
Online health searches have caused me anxiety, affecting 0 0

sleep and including panic.
The table shows that the percentage of the students who are concerned about their
online health searches to be more serious are 50%, while the other students who
answered that online health searches makes them anxious about their health is 30%.
And 20% of them answered that they feel reassured and confident about looking at
medical information online.

4. How do your search habits for online health information interfere with
activities in your life?
My online health searching habits gets in the way of my 6 30%

online leisure behaviour.
My health searching habits interrupts much of my life 7 35%

including studies and other activities.
My online health searching gets in the way of my online 5 25%

issue behaviour.
My online health searching interferes with my online and 2 10%

offline leisure activities.
The table shows that there are 35% of the students says that online health searching
interrupts their life including studies, 30% answered that online health searching gets in
the way of their online leisure behaviour. There are 25% of the students who answered
that online health searching gets in the way of their online issue behaviour and 10%
answered that it interferes with their online and offline leisure activity. It can be
obtained from the table that online health searching habit can be an interruption and
interferes with students especially with their studies.

5. Which best describes how you look for online health information?
When I search for health information online, I look at a 8 40%

webpage or two, and I am done.
I’ll visit a variety of different kinds of websites on a single 7 35%

occasion, but that’s usually it.
I’ll often find myself searching the same 4 20%

symptoms/conditions on a few different occasions.
Once I perform a search, I find it difficult to stop and 1 5%

continue to visit the same webpage.
The table shows that 40% of the students answered whenever they search for health
information online, they look at a webpage or two, while 35% answered that they’ll visit
a variety of different kinds of websites on a single occasion but that is usually it, 20%
answered that they often find themselves searching for the same symptoms on a few
different occasions. And 5% of the students answered that they find it difficult to stop
and continue to visit the same webpage regarding their health.

6. What cause you to search for disease related information?
I only search for conditions that a doctor has shown that I 4 20%
have or am at risk of having.
I perform online health searches only for particularly obvious 11 55%

symptoms.
Many of my symptom searches are fuelled by a fear about 4 20%

particular serious conditions.
I find myself performing searches about nearly every bodily 1 5%

sensation that I experience
The table shows the frequency and percentage of the students who search for disease
related information. There are 55% of them answered that they only perform online
health searches whenever they have obvious symptoms. 20% of them answered that
they only search for conditions that a doctor has shown that they have or risk having
and many of their symptom searches are only fuelled by fear about particular serious
conditions.
7. What best describes the kind of professional reassurance you need after
looking up health information online?
Frequency Percentage
Situation
My online health searching has never impacted whether or 6 30%
not I see my doctor.
There have been times that I have seen a physician 5 25%

because a website said that I should.
Sometimes when online information suggests I am fine, I still 8 40%

want to get things checked out.
My health searches often result in me scheduling an 1 5%

appointment and requesting medical tests.
The table shows the frequency and percentage the kind of professional reassurance
needed looking up for health information online. There are 40% answered that even if
the online information suggest that there’s no problem they still want to get things
checked out. There are 30% of the respondents answered that online health searching
has never impacted them to seek for professional help. 25% of them have seen a
physician because a website told them. And 5% answered that their health searches
often result in scheduling an appointment and requesting medical tests.
8. What best describes your level of trust in your medical professional?
Frequency Percentage
Situation
My own research is meaningless compared to the expertise 6 30%
of my medical professionals.
I keep my own research in mind, but the advice of my 11 55%

physician is much more important.
Considering my own research, I sometimes worry that 2 10%

there’s something the physician has missed.
I am often sceptical, and schedule visits with other 1 5%

physicians after my worries are dismissed.
The table shows the frequency and percentage of the level of trust in medical
professional. There are 55% of the respondents who answered that the advice of their
physician is much more important than the online health searching that they did. There
are 30% of them answered that their own research is meaningless compared to the
expertise of the medical professional. There are 10% of the respondents who answered
that they worry sometimes that there is something that their physicians has missed. 5%
answered that they are often sceptical, and schedule visits with other physicians after
their worries are dismissed.

CHAPTER V
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS
This chapter presents the summary of the research work undertaken, the conclusion
and the recommendation made as a result of this study.
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
1. Profile of the Respondents
1.1
The study discloses that in terms of age, 9.5% are already 17 years old, 66.7% are
already 18 years old, and 23.8% are within the 19 to 20 years old.
1.2
In terms of sex, 52.4% are male and 47.6% are female.
2. How can cyberchondria influence health and well-being?
Searching for medical symptoms and illnesses online may add unnecessary worry and
a lack of peace of mind to your life. The internet-age term for this is "cyberchondria."
The study showed that 40% of the respondents still want to check their health online
even though there is no problem. The 30% of the respondents says that online health
information has never impacted them to seek for professional help, and 25% of them
have seen physician because website told them to. And the least of the respondents
answered that their health searches often result in scheduling and medical appointment.
3. Can thinking about an illness cause symptoms?

Yes, you can prevent bad things from happening. And the fact that, worrying can affect
the body in ways that may surprise you. When worrying becomes excessive, it can lead
to anxiety and even cause you to be physically ill. In the midst of excessive worrying,
you may suffer with high anxiety -- even panic -- during waking hours.
CONCLUSION
Cyberchondria has evolved from being an object of journalistic curiosity to the

appropriate focus of a professional interest and scientific enquiry, as reflected in an
ever-increasing number of publications devoted to it. Despite this transition, some key
questions about cyberchondria remain unanswered. Although its main features have
been well described, there is no consensus about its definition and conceptualization.
Likewise, theoretical understanding of cyberchondria is yet to be integrated. The status
of cyberchondria as a distinct entity or as part of other psychopathology is also
unresolved, with some researchers considering it as an epiphenomenon of a “parent”
condition, such as hypochondriasis/health anxiety. Not surprisingly, the number of
people seeking professional help for cyberchondria as their main complaint or problem
seems to be very small. Regardless of these issues, the negative impact of
cyberchondria and its public health significance are increasingly recognized but remain
to be systematically researched. There are various ideas about prevention and
management strategies, but these need to be refined and tested. The current situation
can therefore be succinctly described as an acceptance that the problem
(cyberchondria) exists and that something should be done about it, although its exact
nature has not been completely elucidated.
More research is obviously needed to overcome these uncertainties and contradictions

about cyberchondria. Future studies need to test the existing and novel theoretical
frameworks and conceptualizations and management approaches based on them. Such
studies should not only rely on convenience online samples but need to be conducted in
clinical populations to establish more clearly the relevance of cyberchondria within the
realm of psychopathology.
RECOMMENDATION
For the students: Provided that the students are millennials, they will benefit from the
findings of this study by being more conscious that there is a common mental disorder
known as cyberchondria.
For the parents: They are able to comprehend their child and recognize how they can
support them with preventing this form of disorder that can influence anyone's mind.
For the community: The study's results will help to explain things about cyberchondria
and deter more misunderstandings. As a result, the society will be able to comprehend
this kind of mental illness.
For the future researchers: Because of the information gained from the respondents,
they would significantly benefit from this study. They will read more about how
cyberchondria influences a person's perception, and this study can be the basis for their
future studies.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
ONLINE PRESENTATION AND ARTICLES
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23368807/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyberchondria
https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/cyber.2012.0671
https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/cpb.2006.9.317
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/hbe2.233
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/16506073.2020.1853805
https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/cpb.2006.9.494
APPENDIX A
Letter to Conduct Study
Date:
Ma. Teresa Dita Gracia F. Avendano-Pitalbo
Principal
Blessed be God forever!
We, the STEM students, would like to humbly ask your permission to conduct our online
survey to the Grade 12 Senior High School students of SHoly Deliverance Integrated
Christian School for our research study entitled “Effects of Cyberchondria (Health
Anxiety Caused By Internet) on Grade 12 Students of Holy Deliverance Integrated
Christian School” in Research Project.
Rest assured that the conduct of the said research will not interrupt any usual business
of your institution. The student-researchers will also be responsible of the undertaking
and that all data to be gathered will be treated with utmost confidentiality.
We expect, with profound respect and gratitude, your favorable response and support to
this humble request and undertaking.
Thank you and May the good Lord shower you His unending guidance.
Very truly yours,
Suarez Kimmy Rocabo Rica
Group Leader Research Instructor

APPENDIX B
Survey Questionnaire
Dear Fellow Students,
Greetings of Joy!
The researchers from Grade 12 STEM would like to request you to be part of their
study, “Effects of Cyberchondria (Health Anxiety Caused By Internet) on Grade 12
Students of Holy Deliverance Integrated Christian School”. Your honest response will
make this study reliable.
Thank you and God bless!
Sincerely,
The Researchers
Banghon, Denise Tria M.
Cruz, Aira Mae Q.
Hugo, Norvin John
Suarez Kimmy Joyce T.

APPENDIX C
BLANK QUESTIONNAIRE
General Directions: Answer the following honestly and completely.
I. Demographic Profile of the Respondents
1.a Gender: Male Female

1.b Age ______
1. How often do you pay attention to your health during pandemic?
 Always
 Sometimes
 Rarely
 Never
2. How does online health information make you feel?
 I always feel reassured/confident after looking at medical information online.

 On occasion, my online health searches will cause me to become more anxious
about my health.
 My online health searches often cause me to become concerned about serious
health conditions.
 Online health searches have caused me anxiety, affecting sleep and including
panic.
3. How do your search habits for online health information interfere with activities in
your life?
 My online health searching habits gets in the way of my online leisure

behaviour.
 My health searching habits interrupts much of my life including studies and
other activities.
 My online health searching gets in the way of my online issue behaviour.
 My online health searching interferes with my online and offline leisure
activities.
4. Which best describes how you look for online health information?
 When I search for health information online, I look at a webpage or two, and I am
done.
 I’ll visit a variety of different kinds of websites on a single occasion, but that’s
usually it.
 I’ll often find myself searching the same symptoms/conditions on a few different
occasions.
 Once I perform a search, I find it difficult to stop and continue to visit the same
webpage.
5. What cause you to search for disease related information?
 I only search for conditions that a doctor has shown that I have or am at risk of
having.
 I perform online health searches only for particularly obvious symptoms.
 Many of my symptom searches are fuelled by a fear about particular serious
conditions.
 I find myself performing searches about nearly every bodily sensation that I
experience.
6. What best describes the kind of professional reassurance you need after looking
up health information online?
 My online health searching has never impacted whether or not I see my doctor.
 There have been times that I have seen a physician because a website said that
I should.
 Sometimes when online information suggest I am fine, I still want to get things
checked out.
 My health searches often result in me scheduling an appointment and requesting
medical tests.
7. What best describes your level of trust in your medical professional?
 My own research is meaningless compared to the expertise of my medical

professionals.
 I keep my own research in mind, but the advice of my physician is much more
important.
 Considering my own research, I sometimes worry that there’s something the
physician has missed.
 I am often sceptical, and schedule visits with other physicians after my worries
are dismissed.
CURRICULUM VITAE
Norvin John B. Hugo

#23 Avocado Street, Brgy San Isidro, Angono Rizal
viknows24@gmail.com
Educational Background
Elementary: H. Bautista Elemetary school
Junior High School: Grade 7-8 Marikina High School

Grade 9 Muzon National High School
Grade 10 Angono National High School
Senior High School: Holy Deliverance Integrated Cristian School

CURRICULUM VITAE
Denise Tria M. Banghon

St. Anthony Ville Brgy. San Isidro Angono Rizal
denisetriamndz@gmail.com
Elementary: Lakeside Hills Learning School
Junior High School: Holy Deliverance Integrated Christian School
Senior High School: Holy Deliverance Integrated Christian School

CURRICULUM VITAE
Kimmy Joyce T. Suarez

St. Anthony Ville Brgy. San Isidro Angono Rizal
suarezkmmy@gmail.com
Elementary: Rufino A. Cruz Memorial Elementary School

Lakeside Hills Learning School

CURRICULUM VITAE
Aira Mae Q. Cruz

airamaecruz1128@gmail.com
B31 Del Rosario Compound Brgy. San Juan, Taytay Rizal
Elementary: Rosario Ocampo Elementary School

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EFFECTS OF CYBERCHONDRIA (HEALTH ANXIETY CAUSED BY INTERNET) ON

GRADE 12 STUDENTS OF HOLY DELIVERANCE INTEGRATED CHRISTIAN

In Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements

for the Subject – Research Subject

Banghon, Denise Tria M.

Cruz, Aira Mae Q.

Hugo, Norvin John

Suarez, Kimmy Joyce T.

Chapter I: The Problem and Its Background Introduction

Background of the Study

Chapter II: Review of Related Literature of the Studies

Chapter III: Research Methodology

Chapter IV: Presentation, Analysis, and Interpretation of Data

Chapter V: Summary of Findings and Implications, Conclusions, and Recommendation

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

COVID-19 pandemic explains the hypothesized rise in cyberchondria during public

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

A review in the British Medical Journal publication Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery,

Although there is no consensus, most definitions of cyberchondria emphasize online

HYPOTHESIS OF THE STUDY

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Specifically, it sought to answer the following questions:

1. What is the profile of the respondents in terms of:

2. How can cyberchondria influence health and well-being?

3. Can thinking about an illness cause symptoms?

Input Process Analysis

Effects of Cyberchondria Conducting a survey Analyze the data

(health anxiety caused by questionnaire about the gathered in the

application. data gathered.

Figure 1: Research Paradigm of the Study

ASSUMPTION OF THE STUDY

SCOPE AND DELIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

This study is focused on the “Effects of Cyberchondria (Health Anxiety Caused By

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The result of this research would be a great help to the following:

Cyberchondria- refers to a person's anxiety about their health that is created or

Effect - a change which is a result or consequence of an action or other cause.

Hypochondriasis- Illness anxiety disorder, sometimes called hypochondriasis or health

Illness - state of poor health or illness; a disease of body or mind.

Internet - a global computer network providing a variety of information and

Symptoms - a physical or mental feature which is regarded as indicating a condition of

Well-being - the state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy.

have a background that is related to this research.

According to these three researchers Mindy M. Kibbey, Erick J. Fedorenko, and

Exploring Gender Dimensions in Internet Self-Efficacy in the Philippines Manuel C.

females when it comes to psychological and affective states, specifically Internet

Personality Traits of Future Nurses and Cyberchondria: Findings from an Emerging

Ma. Regina M. Hechanova Renee Ortega‐Go

Subject of the Study

Locale of the Study

The researchers would be using a Stratified random sampling technique by choosing 7

Procedure of the study

“Effects of Cyberchondria (Health Anxiety Caused By Internet) on Grade 12 Students of

1. Demographic Profile of the Respondents

Frequency and Percentage Distribution of Respondents According to Age

Age Frequency Percentage Rank

Frequency and Percentage Distribution of Respondents According to Gender

Gender Frequency Percentage

comes to difference between the behavior and attitude of the students.

Categorized Answers of the Respondents

2. Frequency And Percentage On How Often They Pay Attention To Their

Choices Frequency Percentage

about their health especially during these times of pandemic.