Uncertainty Management Theory

Dale Brashers developed uncertainty management theory to account for people's experiences with and responses to uncertainty, defined as an inability to make sense of, assign value to, or predict the outcomes of events. Brashers viewed life in general, and illness in particular, as inherently unpredictable and argued that communication was the primary means through which individuals coped with these uncertainties. With its emphasis on communication and its relevance to health, uncertainty management theory has considerable appeal to health communication scholars. In fact, communication scholars have explored various health issues, including cancer, HIV/AIDS, organ failure, and human papillomavirus (HPV), through this theoretical lens, providing empirical support for the theory's assumptions and central themes.

Although often mentioned in the same breath as Charles Berger and Richard Calabrese's theory ...