Evaluating the Meichenbaum-based Counselling Program in Reducing Cyber Disease Anxiety and Increasing Self-efficacy among University Students

Abstract

Objective: The study aims to identify the prevalence of cyberchondria and low self-efficacy among university students. Additionally, it aims to design a psychological counseling program based on Meichenbaum's theory to reduce cyberchondria and increase self-efficacy among students. Furthermore, it seeks to verify the sustainability of the counseling program after two months of its implementation. Methodology: A sample of 341 students, aged 19 to 25 years old, was used. These students were equally divided into an experimental group and a control group. Both groups were assessed using the disease anxiety and self-efficacy scales (pre-post). Only the experimental group received the counseling program. Results: The study revealed significant differences in the mean scores of the experimental group in the post-test, indicating a decrease in disease anxiety scores and an increase in self-efficacy scores. Moreover, the study found significant differences in the disease anxiety and self-efficacy scales between the experimental and control groups in the post-test, with the experimental group demonstrating better outcomes. Notably, no statistically significant differences were found in the mean scores of the experimental group in disease anxiety and self-efficacy between the post-test and follow-up tests.