AUTHOR=Huai Li , Liao Sihua , Lyu Xiaokang , Yang Tingting , Fu Chunye 

TITLE=Conflicting health information increases fear of disease progression in HPV-infected individuals: disease uncertainty as mediator and tolerance of uncertainty as buffer

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 13 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1532592

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2025.1532592

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=BackgroundHuman papillomavirus (HPV) infection is highly prevalent, and infected individuals frequently encounter HPV-specific conflicting health information about their condition. Although this phenomenon is well documented, the mechanisms by which such information influences fear of progression (FoP) and potential interventions remain unexplored.MethodsThis research was conducted in two phases. Phase 1 (n = 218) developed and validated the HPV-Specific Conflicting Health Information Scale. Phase 2 (n = 501) examined disease uncertainty as a mediator and tolerance of uncertainty as a moderator among HPV-positive female patients.ResultsThe HPV-Specific Conflicting Health Information Scale demonstrated a two-dimensional structure representing objective experiences and subjective perceptions of HPV-specific conflicting health information. Phase 2 revealed that HPV-specific conflicting health information indirectly influenced Fear of Progression via disease uncertainty, with this relationship moderated by individuals’ tolerance of uncertainty.ConclusionThis study established the first validated measure of HPV-specific conflicting health information. The findings indicate that enhancing tolerance of uncertainty may serve as an effective complement to reducing conflicting information exposure in addressing HPV-related psychological distress.