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NCT Number: NCT07126769

Cyberchondria and Stress in Women Undergoing Infertility Treatment

This study examines how searching for health information on the internet may affect stress and emotional well-being in women undergoing infertility treatment. Infertility is a common condition that impacts about 48 million couples worldwide and can cause not only physical challenges but also significant emotional strain, including anxiety, depression, and stress. Many women turn to the internet to seek answers about their condition and treatment. While online information can be helpful, it is not always accurate or consistent, which can increase worry and confusion. This repeated and sometimes excessive searching for health information, known as "cyberchondria," has been linked in previous research to increased stress and anxiety. This study will assess women's online information-seeking patterns, infertility-related stress, and overall emotional and social well-being, aiming to better understand the role of cyberchondria in the infertility treatment process. The results may help healthcare professionals offer more targeted support and guidance to women facing these challenges.

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Key information

Conditions

Cyberchondria Genital Diseases Infertility Stress Urogenital Diseases

Age range

18 year–45 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Acıbadem University

Istanbul, Ataşehir, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Güzin Ünlü Suvari, Ph.D. (C)

CONTACT

[email protected]

+90 ext. 2165004429

Merve Coşkun, Ph.D.

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Women undergoing infertility treatment and those who have experienced various treatment methods (IUI, IVF, ICSI).
  • Women willing to participate in the study.
  • Women who understand and speak Turkish.

Exclusion criteria

  • Women with psychological disorders (e.g., clinical depression, anxiety disorders).
  • Women not undergoing infertility treatment.

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

  1. Introductory Information Form

    Time frame: At baseline (one-time assessment at enrollment)

    This form includes 24 questions divided into four sections covering women's sociodemographic details, health information, digital health search behaviors, and reproductive health.

  2. Screening Tool on Distress in Fertility Treatment (SCREEN-IVF)

    Time frame: At baseline (one-time assessment at enrollment)

    A 28-item scale assessing psychosocial risk factors in individuals undergoing infertility treatment. It includes subscales for anxiety, social support, helplessness, acceptance, and depression. Scores above specific cutoff points indicate elevated risk levels in these areas.

  3. Infertility Stress Scale

    Time frame: At baseline (one-time assessment at enrollment)

    Consists of 14 items across three subscales: Personal Stress (6 items), Marital Stress (4 items), and Social Stress (4 items). Higher scores reflect increased stress levels. Items are rated on Likert scales, with score ranges for each subscale indicating the severity of stress.

  4. Short Form of the Cyberchondria Severity Scale

    Time frame: At baseline (one-time assessment at enrollment)

    A 12-item scale measuring severity of excessive online health searches, covering Excessiveness, Distress, Reassurance, and Compulsion subscales. Items scored on a 5-point Likert scale. Higher total scores indicate greater cyberchondria severity

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Güzin Ünlü Suvari, Ph.D. (c)

CONTACT

[email protected]

+902165004429

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Acibadem University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Virtual Knowledge, Real Stress: The Role of Cyberchondria Severity in Women Undergoing Infertility Treatment

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Aug 17, 2025
Registry last updated
Sep 30, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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