Uncertainty Management Strategies in Communication About Urinary Tract Infections.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common bacterial infection, and yet the etiology, treatment, and prevention of UTIs are often clouded by uncertainty. UTIs can cause severe pain and may lead to serious infection, but communication about UTIs can help individuals manage this condition and avoid recurring UTIs. Grounded in uncertainty management theory (UMT), this study explored how individuals with female anatomy manage uncertainty surrounding UTIs.

Pregnancy During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Communicated Narrative Sense-Making and Resilience.

Grounded in communicated narrative sense-making (CNSM) theory and communication theory of resilience (CTR), the current study investigated how women narratively constructed resilience surrounding pregnancy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the adverse effects of stress on pregnant individuals and their babies, it is important to understand the triggers and process of resilience in this context. We interviewed 21 cisgender women who were pregnant during the COVID-19 pandemic to solicit their stories of stress and resilience.