Do cyberchondria, health anxiety, and exposure to phubbing affect attitudes towards violence against healthcare workers?
WORK-A JOURNAL OF PREVENTION ASSESSMENT & REHABILITATION, 2026 (SSCI, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Publication Date: 2026
- Doi Number: 10.1177/10519815261440428
- Journal Name: WORK-A JOURNAL OF PREVENTION ASSESSMENT & REHABILITATION
- Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, ABI/INFORM, CINAHL, Educational research abstracts (ERA), EMBASE, Environment Index, INSPEC, MEDLINE, Psycinfo, Natural Science Collection (ProQuest), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Business Source Ultimate (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest)
- Hatay Mustafa Kemal University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Background Violence against healthcare workers is a growing occupational and public health concern worldwide. Recent evidence suggests that digital health-related behaviors and psychological vulnerabilities may influence individuals' attitudes toward violence in healthcare settings. Objective This study aimed to examine the effects of cyberchondria, health anxiety, and exposure to phubbing on attitudes toward violence against healthcare workers in Turkey. Methods A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 1018 adults aged 18 and above in Turkey. Measures included the Cyberchondria Severity Scale, Health Anxiety Inventory, General Exposure to Phubbing Scale, and Attitudes Towards Violence Against Healthcare Workers Scale. Structural validity was evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) in AMOS, while internal consistency was assessed through Cronbach's alpha and composite reliability (CR). Hypotheses were tested using linear regression. Direct and indirect effects were further examined through structural equation modeling (SEM) with bootstrapping. Results Cyberchondria, health anxiety, and exposure to phubbing were positively associated with attitudes toward violence against healthcare workers. Phubbing influenced violent attitudes directly (beta = .155, p < .001; f(2) approximate to 0.03) and indirectly through health anxiety (beta = .388, p < .001; f(2) approximate to 0.20) and cyberchondria (beta = .259, p < .001; f(2) approximate to 0.08), supporting Hypotheses 1-3, while the structural equation model supported Hypothesis 4. Conclusion The results highlight the role of digital behaviors and health-related psychological factors in shaping violent attitudes, emphasizing the need for digital awareness programs, health communication training, and policies aimed at preventing workplace violence.