Open AccessThe Relationships Between Uncertainty and Posttraumatic Stress in Survivors of Childhood Cancer
Author(s) -
Ya-Ling Lee
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
the journal of nursing research/the journal of nursing research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.537
H-Index - 32
eISSN - 1948-965X
pISSN - 1682-3141
DOI - 10.1097/01.jnr.0000387571.20856.45
Subject(s) - conceptualization , posttraumatic stress , childhood cancer , clinical psychology , psychology , stress (linguistics) , cancer , medicine , psychiatry , linguistics , philosophy , artificial intelligence , computer science
The purposes of this study were to understand the levels of uncertainty and posttraumatic stress and to examine their relationships in young adult survivors of childhood cancer. A cross-sectional correlational design was used in this study. Mailed survey was the data collection method. The Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale-Community Form was the measure of uncertainty. The University of California at Los Angeles Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Index was the measure of posttraumatic stress. A total of 46 (51.1%) survivors responded to the survey and the analysis was based on data from 45. Participants reported a mean 51.3 (SD = 14.5, range = 23 to 90) level of uncertainty; and a mean 15.7 (SD = 11.0, range = 0 to 43) level of posttraumatic stress. Uncertainty was positively correlated with posttraumatic stress (r = .40, p = .039). The re- conceptualization of the Uncertainty in Illness Theory (UIT) and developmental perspectives can explain the relationships between uncertainty and posttraumatic stress in the young adult survivors of childhood cancer. The re-conceptualization of UIT can serve as a guide for future studies.