Impact of Uncertainty on Resilience in Cancer Patients

Purpose: This study was designed to identify the impact of uncertainty degree and uncertainty appraisal on cancer patients resilience. Methods: A sample of 181 patients with cancer was recruited from a hospital in Incheon. Data were collected from May 20 to August 25, 2011. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient and multiple regression with the SPSS/WIN 12.0 program. Results: The resilience for cancer patients showed a significant relationship with uncertainty degree and uncertainty appraisal. The significant factors influencing resilience were uncertainty degree and uncertainty appraisal, they explained 26.5% of the variance. Conclusion: Patients with cancer were adversely affected by uncertaint which led to a negative effect on resilience. The result suggests that intervention programs to reduce the level of uncertainty among patients could improve the resilience of cancer patients.