On a Scale of Health Uncertainty

• In Event: ICA Plenary Interactive Paper/Poster Session and Reception
  In Interactive Paper Session: Health Communication Interactive Poster Session

Abstract

Uncertainty has been recognized as a fundamental construct in health communication. The conceptualization regarding its definition, attribute and scope, however, is not yet clear. In this article, health uncertainty was explicated as the psychological state in which one is incapable of appraising one’s health status and/or making health-related decisions. It was proposed that health uncertainty comprises four dimensions: information uncertainty, condition uncertainty, efficacy uncertainty, and emotion uncertainty. A 17-item scale was developed as a measurement instrument. Four external variables (i.e. health literacy, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, and information management) were used to test the construct validity of the sale. Multilevel confirmatory factor analyses of data from college students (N=238) showed that the scale was unidimensional on the second order. The results indicated that the scale exhibited good internal and external consistency, construct validity, as well as good reliability. Implications for future research were discussed.

Authors

• Poyao Huang, U of California - San Diego

• Lijiang Shen, U of Georgia