Health Anxiety and Attitudes Toward Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

Research Article

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to examine the relationship between health anxiety and attitudes toward complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among adults attending a university hospital and to explore differences according to sociodemographic and health-related variables.

Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between September and November 2023 with adults aged 18 years and older who attended outpatient clinics at Harran University Hospital and agreed to participate (n = 164). Data were collected using a Personal Information Form, the Health Anxiety Scale (HAS), and the Holistic Complementary and Alternative Medicine Questionnaire (HCAMQ). Descriptive statistics, independent samples t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson correlation analyses were performed. Statistical significance was set at p < .05.

Results: The mean age of participants was 35.7 ± 8.85 years; most were female (86.6%) and university graduates (75.6%). The mean total HAS score was 14.29 ± 6.45. The mean total HCAMQ score was 28.96 ± 8.42. Education level was significantly associated with total HAS and bodily vigilance scores (p < .05). Mental health status showed significant associations with all HAS and HCAMQ scores (p < .001). Significant negative correlations were observed between total HAS and total HCAMQ (r = −.812, p = .019), holistic health beliefs (r = −.664, p = .034), and CAM orientation (r = −.927, p = .007). As lower HCAMQ scores reflect more positive CAM attitudes, higher health anxiety was associated with greater CAM orientation.

Conclusion: Increased health anxiety is linked to more favorable attitudes toward CAM. Routine assessment of CAM use and targeted psychoeducational interventions may benefit individuals with elevated health anxiety.