Uncertainty in Illness

Abstract

Abstract This entry introduces the concept of uncertainty in illness – focusing specifically on the uncertainty in illness theory (UIT), the reconceptualized uncertainty in illness theory (RUIT), and the theory of motivated information management (TMIM). Uncertainty is commonly experienced in illness contexts and a key construct of interest to many health communication‐related fields and disciplines (e.g., health psychology, medical decision making, nursing research, public health). The critical role of uncertainty in illness is evident in research that focuses on antecedents to and appraisal of uncertainty, ways of coping with uncertainty, as well as relational and communicative outcomes of illness uncertainty. The three theoretical frameworks introduced in this entry, together with other theories of uncertainty and communication in this volume (e.g., problematic integration theory, uncertainty management theory), contribute to sophisticated theoretical and practical understandings of uncertainty in illness. Future health communication research should continue to unpack the complexities of uncertainty experienced in illness, investigate factors that influence uncertainty and uncertainty appraisal in illness contexts, and examine adaptive strategies that can facilitate effective coping with illness uncertainty.