Decision making in cancer-related topic avoidance

J Health Commun. 2015;20(3):306-13. doi: 10.1080/10810730.2014.965364. Epub 2015 Jan 13.

Abstract

In this article, the authors use the Disclose Decision-Making Model to explore cancer-related topic avoidance among cancer patients and their partners. Participants include 95 dyads in which 1 partner had been diagnosed and/or treated for cancer. Variables of interest include death-, future-, sexuality-, and burden-related topic avoidance and dimensions of the Disclosure Decision-Making Model including information assessment, receiver assessment, relational quality, and discloser efficacy. Data were analyzed using linear regressions. Findings suggest that lack of reciprocity and efficacy are predictors of topic avoidance. The authors discuss implications of findings and suggests direction for future research.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Communication
  • Decision Making*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Psychological
  • Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Neoplasms / psychology*
  • Self Disclosure*