Causes and consequences of uncertainty about illness risk perceptions Journal Article


Authors: Orom, H.; Biddle, C.; Waters, E. A.; Kiviniemi, M. T.; Sosnowski, A. N.; Hay, J. L.
Article Title: Causes and consequences of uncertainty about illness risk perceptions
Abstract: We identified determinants of uncertainty about perceived risk judgments and demonstrated that uncertainty is associated with lower engagement in risk-reducing behavior. We found that people likely have metacognitive awareness of when their judgments are overly pessimistic, resulting in uncertainty and that question context (more constraints) and people’s time orientation (future orientation) are associated with lower uncertainty. Uncertainty about conditioned risk judgments was associated with lower engagement in exercising and eating a healthy diet in order to reduce risk for heart disease. As a potential determinant of behavior, uncertainty about risk judgments merits further consideration for integration into theories of health behavior. © The Author(s) 2017.
Keywords: health behavior; risk; health promotion; coronary artery disease; diabetes; beliefs
Journal Title: Journal of Health Psychology
Volume: 25
Issue: 8
ISSN: 1359-1053
Publisher: Sage Publications Ltd.  
Date Published: 2020-07-01
Start Page: 1030
End Page: 1042
Language: English
DOI: 10.1177/1359105317745966
PUBMED: 29243523
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC5984187
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 3 August 2020 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Jennifer L Hay
    266 Hay