biostudies-literatureMills FNational Institute for Health Research (NIHR)National Institute for Health Research; Health Protection Research Units (HPRU)853-863https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9575348biostudies-literatureUnknown41(11)<h4>Objective</h4>We examined whether varying information about long COVID would affect expectations about the illness.<h4>Method</h4>In October 2021, we conducted a 2 (Illness Description: long COVID vs. ongoing COVID-19 recovery) × 2 (Symptom Uncertainty: uncertainty emphasized vs. not emphasized) × 2 (Efficacy of Support: enhanced vs. basic support) between-subjects randomized online experimental study. Participants (<i>N</i> = 1,110) were presented with a scenario describing a positive COVID-19 test result, followed by one of eight scenarios describing a long COVID diagnosis and then completed outcome measures of illness expectations including: symptom severity, symptom duration, quality of life, personal control, treatment control, and illness coherence.<h4>Results</h4>We ran a seriesHealth psychology : official journal of the Division of Health Psychology, American Psychological AssociationThe effects of messaging on long COVID expectations: An online experiment.PMC9575348200890Saeed SJones LFCarter HDennis ABhogal JKMilward JMills FWeston DSpoiala CfalseThe effects of messaging on long COVID expectations: An online experiment.<h4>Objective</h4>We examined whether varying information about long COVID would affect expectations about the illness.<h4>Method</h4>In October 2021, we conducted a 2 (Illness Description: long COVID vs. ongoing COVID-19 recovery) × 2 (Symptom Uncertainty: uncertainty emphasized vs. not emphasized) × 2 (Efficacy of Support: enhanced vs. basic support) between-subjects randomized online experimental study. Participants (<i>N</i> = 1,110) were presented with a scenario describing a positive COVID-19 test result, followed by one of eight scenarios describing a long COVID diagnosis and then completed outcome measures of illness expectations including: symptom severity, symptom duration, quality of life, personal control, treatment control, and illness coherence.<h4>Results</h4>We ran a series2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Nov2025-04-04T22:44:31.23Z2025-04-04T22:44:31.23ZS-EPMC95753483610766710.1037/hea0001230