Research on Constructing of Uncertainty Belief Behavior Theory
1. Research Center for Digital and Intelligent Health Behavior Theory and Management, Zhejiang University National Health Big Data Institute, Hangzhou 310058, China
2. School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| Abstract: | Uncertainty is an inherent property of things and has become a norm in contemporary society. In this context, the occurrence of health behaviors is inevitably closely linked to uncertainty. However, existing health behavior theories have yet to incorporate uncertainty into their framework. This paper addresses a gap in the existing literature by incorporating uncertainty into the cognitive health behavior framework, thereby developing the Uncertainty Belief Behavior Theory. By combining uncertainty with cognitive beliefs, this theory explores the social behavioral mechanisms behind decision-making in uncertain situations. The paper first reviews and reflects on the existing literature, deepening the understanding of the attributes and phenomena of uncertainty. It argues for the rationale and feasibility of integrating uncertainty into the cognitive health behavior theory framework. Based on this foundation, real-world data were used to empirically test the proposed theory. The results of multiple linear regression analysis show that, when accounting for uncertainty, there is a significant positive association between risk perception and hypertension prevention behavior (β = 0.397, p < 0.001). Further analysis reveals that the "confusion" caused by uncertainty plays a significant mediating role between risk perception and hypertension prevention behavior (β = -0.100, p < 0.05), accounting for 25.2% of the total effect, indicating a partial mediation effect. Finally, the paper discusses the understanding and application of the Uncertainty Belief Behavior Theory. By introducing the concept of uncertainty belief, the theory provides a better explanation for individual health behaviors in complex environments and offers a theoretical foundation for designing more effective intervention strategies. This study focuses solely on cognitive health behavior theory. Future research could consider integrating uncertainty into other theoretical frameworks, thus broadening the scope of health behavior research and better addressing the increasingly complex public health challenges. |
| Keywords: | Uncertainty; Social Environment; Health Behavior Theory; Perceived Belief; Uncertainty Stress |
| DOI: | 10.57237/j.ssrf.2026.01.002 |
View:
Downloads:
Received: 29 January 2026
Accepted: 10 February 2026
Published Online: 26 February 2026
References
| [1] | 杨廷忠. 健康研究: 社会与行为理论及方法 [M]. 北京: 人民卫生出版社, 2025. |
| [2] | Knight, F. H. Risk, Uncertainty, and Profit [M]. Houghton Mifflin, 1921. |
| [3] | Heisenberg, W. Über den anschaulichen Inhalt der quantentheoretischen Kinematik und Mechanik [J]. Zeitschrift für Physik, 1927, 43(3–4): 172–198. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01397280 |
| [4] | Simon, H. A. Models of Man: Social and Rational [M]. Wiley, 1957. |
| [5] | Kahneman, D., & Tversky, A. Prospect theory: An analysis of decision under risk. In: Handbook of the fundamentals of financial decision making: Part I [C], 2013: 99-127. |
| [6] | Beck, U. Risk Society: Towards a New Modernity [M]. London: Sage, 1992. |
| [7] | Lazarus, R. S., & Folkman, S. Stress, Appraisal, and Coping [M]. Springer, 1984. |
| [8] | Kruglanski, A. W. Motivated social cognition: Need for closure effects on individuals’ judgment and decision-making [J]. Psychological Review, 1996, 103(2): 263–283. https://doi.org/10.1006/jesp.1996.0012 |
| [9] | 杨廷忠, 黄晶晶, 吴秀娟, 等. 城市居民社会转型心理压力研究 [J]. 中国行为医学科学, 2007, 16(4): 331-333. |
| [10] | Yang, T., Peng, S., Oliffe, J. L., & Zhang, W. Geographical Disparities of Uncertainty Stress and Life Stress Among University Students: A Study Across All Provinces in Mainland China [J]. Stress and Health, 2025, 41(1): e70009. https://doi.org/10.1002/smi.70009 |
| [11] | Peters, A., McEwen, B. S., & Friston, K. Uncertainty and stress: Why it causes diseases and how it is mastered by the brain [J]. Progress in Neurobiology, 2017, 156: 164–188. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pneurobio.2017.05.004 |
| [12] | Wu, D., Yu, L., Yang, T., Cottrell, R., Peng, S., Guo, W., & Jiang, S. The Impacts of Uncertainty Stress on Mental Disorders of Chinese College Students: Evidence From a Nationwide Study [J]. Frontiers in Psychology, 2020, 11: 243. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00243 |
| [13] | Peng, S., Yang, T., & Rockett, I. R. Life stress and uncertainty stress: which is more associated with unintentional injury? [J]. Psychology, Health & Medicine, 2020, 25(6): 774-780. https://doi.org/13548506.2019.1687913 |
| [14] | Yang, Q., Wu, Z., Yang, X., Jiang, S., Wu, D., & Oliffe, J. L. Associations between uncertainty stress, life stress and internet addiction among medical students [J]. Frontiers in Public Health, 2022, 9: 809484. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.809484 |
| [15] | Hayaen, J. Introduction to health behavior theory [M]. New England: Jones & Bartlett Learning, 2022. |
| [16] | 杨国枢. 中国人 [M]. 北京: 中国人民大学出版社, 2004. |
| [17] | 杨廷忠. 感知信念-参照规范影响理论: 一个文化适宜健康行为模式的构建与实证 [J]. 中国热带医学, 2019, 19(12): 3. |
| [18] | Ajzen, I. The theory of planned behavior [J]. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 1991, 50(2): 179-211. https://doi.org/10.1016/0749-5978(91)90020-T |
| [19] | Espedido, A., & Searle, B. J. Proactivity, stress appraisals, and problem-solving: A cross-level moderated mediation model [J]. Work & Stress, 2021, 35(2): 132-152. https://doi.org/10.1080/02678373.2020.1767723 |
| [20] | Preacher, K. J., & Hayes, A. F. Asymptotic and resampling strategies for assessing and comparing indirect effects in multiple mediator models [J]. Behavior Research Methods, 2008, 40(3): 879-891. https://doi.org/10.3758/BRM.40.3.879 |
| [21] | Weinstein, N. D. Perceived probability, perceived severity, and health-protective behavior [J]. Health Psychology, 2000, 19(1): 65. https://doi.org/0278-6133.19.1.65 |
| [22] | Peng, S., Yang, X. Y., Yang, T., Zhang, W., & Cottrell, R. R. Uncertainty stress, and its impact on disease fear and prevention behavior during the COVID-19 epidemic in China: a panel study [J]. American Journal of Health Behavior, 2021, 45(2): 334-341. https://doi.org/10.5993/AJHB.45.2.12 |
| [23] | Brewer, N. T., Chapman, G. B., Gibbons, F. X., Gerrard, M., McCaul, K. D., & Weinstein, N. D. Meta-analysis of the relationship between risk perception and health behavior: the example of vaccination [J]. Health Psychology, 2007, 26(2): 136. https://doi.org/10.1037/0278-6133.26.2.136 |
| [24] | Mossman, D. Risk perception and health behavior: A framework for the health risk behavior literature [J]. Psychology and Health, 2009, 24(3): 371-389. https://doi.org/110.1080/08870440801925979 |
| [25] | Falomir, J. M., & Invernizzi, F. The role of social influence and smoker identity in resistance to smoking cessation [J]. Swiss Journal of Psychology/Schweizerische Zeitschrift für Psychologie/Revue Suisse de Psychologie, 1999, 58(2): 73. https://doi.org/10.1080/08870440801902519 |
| [26] | Berthet, V. The impact of cognitive biases on professionals’ decision-making: A review of four occupational areas [J]. Frontiers in Psychology, 2022, 12: 802439. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.802439 |
| [27] | 杨廷忠. 个体认知与社会影响跨层次理论的构建研究 [J]. 社会科学研究前沿, 2023, 2(1): 33-37. https://doi.org/10.57237/j.ssrf.2023.01.004 |
| [28] | 杨廷忠. 社会结构行为理论及跨层次形式 [J]. 医学研究前沿, 2023, 2(4): 175-182. https://doi.org/10.57237/jmrf.2023.04.004 |
Join the Editorial Board
We invite active, qualified and high profile scientists and researchers to join as Editorial Board Members.
Join UsBecome a Reviewer
Scholars with a strong interest in reviewing are invited to join the reviewer panel to ensure the quality of the research to be published.
Join Us