Social Support as a Tool for Managing Uncertainty

• In Event: Social support in multiple health contexts

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease is fraught with uncertainties. We conducted interviews with 33 adult children who had a parent diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease about their experiences with uncertainty and social support. Participants described the ways in which uncertainty was appraised (e.g., danger or part life) as well as attempts at managing uncertainty through social support (e.g., tangible assistance, information, and emotional support) from various sources. This research contributes to literature on social support and uncertainty in illness.

Author

• Anne Stone, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign