(PS8-91) The Effect of Cyberchondria on Family Constructs in Predominantly Hispanic College Students

Abstract Text: Cyberchondria is the compulsive act of conducting online health-related searches and has been linked to increased anxiety regarding health (Kan et al., 2023) and added familial conflict among Chinese adolescents (Liu et al., 2022). However, a recent study found that cyberchondria may also be associated with healthy lifestyle choices (Xu, 2025). These associations have yet to be investigated among Hispanics despite similarities to Asian individuals with respect to the importance of family (Chang, 2015). Hence, cyberchondria may contribute to either family health or familial conflict among Hispanics. The present study aims to examine the relationship between cyberchondria, family conflict, and family health among predominantly Hispanic college students.

Self-identified college students (n=517) from a Hispanic-Serving Institution (Mage= 21.03 years, SD = 4.37; 71% female, 88.8% Hispanic) were recruited via SONA, a web-based recruitment system. After signing an electronic consent form, participants completed the following measures: sociodemographics; Family Conflict Scale; Family Health Scale-short form; and Cyberchondria Severity Scale. Two linear regression models assessed how Cyberchondria predicted Family Conflict and Family Health while controlling for sex and age.

Results indicated that the linear regression model predicting family health was statistically significant (F (6, 509) = 3.395, p = .003, R2 =.038). Cyberchondria compulsion was negatively associated with family health (b = -.388, p = .024). Furthermore, the linear regression predicting family conflict was statistically significant (F (6, 485) = 9.139, p < .001, R2 =.102), such that cyberchondria distress (b = .887, p = .011) and cyberchondria compulsion (b = 1.087, p =.019) were positively associated with family conflict.

Compulsively web-searching health symptoms may have a negative impact on family health rather than a positive one which is inconsistent with prior literature (Xu, 2025). Anxiety-laden behaviors, like cyberchondria, may put undue stress on the family which is further supported, such that compulsively web-searching symptoms and negative emotional reactivity were associated with family conflict indicating that cyberchondria symptoms may contribute to strain on the family system as individuals may require constant reassurance. Alternatively, given the cross-sectional nature of this study, family conflict and lack of social support may contribute to a manifestation of cyberchondria symptoms. These findings suggest that a family systems approach when addressing cyberchondria symptoms may be appropriate. Prospective longitudinal studies are warranted to assess temporality between these constructs given that family dysfunction may contribute to cyberchondria (Liu et al., 2022).