Theorizing About Social Support and Health Communication in a Prostate Cancer Support Group

Abstract

This article inquires into whether and how uncertainty reduction theory and problematic integration theory, two theories relevant to social support as enacted within a chapter of the Man-to-Man prostate cancer support group, inform us of how such groups can assist group members most effectively. Interview data from members of a prostate cancer support group shed light on theoretical assumptions about uncertainty. Although the group applies elements of both theories, prostate cancer survivors likely would benefit from a more comprehensive and flexible treatment of social support theory.

KEYWORDS:

• uncertainty reduction theory
• problematic integration theory
• prostate cancer
• communication theory
• Man-to-Man

Notes

1. Each group member was given a pseudonym.