Antecedents Of Uncertainty In The Adult With An Oncologic Diagnosis: An Integrative Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32635/2176-9745.RBC.2025v71n3.5096Keywords:
Adult, Oncology Nursing, Uncertainty, Nursing TheoryAbstract
Introduction: The uncertainty frequently occurs in individuals with oncological diagnoses, when the individual cannot assign a defined value to the events and accurately predict the results. Currently, there is no organized evidence about the antecedents of uncertainty in adult individuals with cancer. Objective: To identify the antecedents of uncertainty in adults with cancer in the available literature. Method: Integrative literature review of articles from 2010 to 2022 at the electronic databases EMBASE, ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global, LILACS, and ScienceDirect. The selected articles were assessed for their quality and analyzed using the constant comparison method and uncertainty theory. Results: Regarding the structure of the stimulus, antecedents of uncertainty have been found as distinctiveness and inconsistency of the symptoms, self- and vicarious experience, system orientation and routine disruption, and consistency between the expected and the experienced. Age, emotional chaos, and physiological events are cognitive antecedents. And knowledge, constant and quality human interaction, emotional and instrumental support and education are important antecedents of structure providers. Conclusion: Understanding uncertainty in illness and its antecedents allows to know and guide the caring needs of the oncologic population, providing theoretical knowledge that can be applied in clinical practice.
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