فهرست نشریات علمی دسترسی آزاد ایران

Uncertainty is a common experience, especially in the health field. Individuals use many information behaviors to overcome uncertainty. Among the communication theories, the uncertainty management theory focuses more on information behavior. In this regard, relatively good studies have been conducted in the field of uncertainty management theory. The present study, by reviewing related studies, aims to identify the types and sources of uncertainty, the communication reactions of individuals to experienced uncertainty, the reasons for seeking or avoiding information, and the types of information sought or avoided. The research method of this study is a scoping review. After selecting the appropriate search strategy and inclusion and exclusion criteria, 53 articles from the studies extracted from MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, and ISI Web of Knowledge were selected for final review. The results showed that uncertainties in health information behavior occur at both individual and collective levels, and sources and types can be identified according to the context. Also, various strategies are used to deal with uncertainties at these two levels; the most common is seeking and avoiding information in different ways to reduce, increase, maintain, or adapt to uncertainty. In conclusion, this review provides a novel and comprehensive mapping of uncertainty in health information behavior. Unlike previous work, it explicitly delineates the complex reasons and methods underlying information seeking versus avoidance across diverse health contexts. This synthesis offers a foundational framework for developing targeted interventions to improve communication and support for individuals and families navigating health uncertainty.