Advice-giving and the management of uncertainty for cancer survivors

This study examines advice and uncertainty management, in the context of cancer survivorship, with specific emphasis on the relative influence of target receptiveness, advice content, and advice optimism on uncertainty-management processes, coping processes, and advice evaluation. Cancer survivors (N = 184) completed a questionnaire (online or paper) reporting on informal advice received after diagnosis. Results indicated that target receptiveness and advice optimism were positively related to coping processes and advice evaluation. Target receptiveness was positively related to uncertainty management. Appropriateness of advice was significantly related to problem-solving utility, and absence of limitations was significantly related to emotional awareness. Limitations of the study are offered, and implications for future research are advanced in the area of cancer survivorship.