Communication and the terminally ILL: A theoretical model

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Abstract
This paper presents a conceptual theory and path model of communication involving terminally ill individuals. The theory considers three types of variables: factors that inhibit communication; a critical context variable, communication apprehension caused by the knowledge that one participant in the interaction is dying; and message variables that influence the quality of the death experience. Fifteen hypotheses predict relationships between thirteen variables; the hypotheses represent both extant research findings and original ideas that provide new directions for research.