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Do metacognitions contribute to pathological health anxiety? A systematic review and meta-analysis

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  • Lavinia Ivan
  • Petra Foerster
  • Frederic Maas genannt Bermpohl
  • Alexander L Gerlach
  • Anna Pohl

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this meta-analysis is to give an overview of the relationships between positive and negative metacognitions (PMC, NMC) with health anxiety and pathological safety seeking and avoidant behavior (SSB, AB). Method: The preregistered systematic literature screening included following data bases: MEDLINE, PsycINFO, PSYNDEX, PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, ProQuest Dissertations & Theses, and The German National Library. The studies were evaluated based on predefined eligibility criteria (i.e., data for PMC/NMC and health anxiety and/ or SSB/AB from adult samples, assessed with validated inventories and presented in English or German language) and risk of bias categories. Correlation coefficients were aggregated with random effect models. Publication biases were estimated with contour enhanced funnel plots and outlier analyses. Results: 23 studies (N = 9229) were included in the meta-analysis. Most studies assessed health anxiety in analogue samples. A significant medium effect was found for PMC and health anxiety (r = .36, p

Suggested Citation

  • Lavinia Ivan & Petra Foerster & Frederic Maas genannt Bermpohl & Alexander L Gerlach & Anna Pohl, 2025. "Do metacognitions contribute to pathological health anxiety? A systematic review and meta-analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 20(7), pages 1-16, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0325563
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0325563
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