Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, Vol 54(3), Jun 2023, 221-230; doi:10.1037/pro0000511
Considerable research has been conducted regarding the tolerance of uncertainty experienced by health care professionals in the early stages of their career. Comparatively little is known of the experience of uncertainty late in one’s career. Moreover, sparse research has been conducted with psychologists; whose roles abound with uncertainty relating to ethical, diagnostic and treatment issues. This qualitative study interviewed 11 late-career psychologists, exploring their experiences of uncertainty and the strategies utilized throughout their early, mid, and late-career stages. Transcripts were analyzed using narrative analysis to identify common themes in the participant’s stories. Findings suggest that uncertainty was experienced on an ongoing basis throughout the course of participant’s careers; however, the source and content of uncertainty differed according to career stage. Participants described implementing a range of evolving strategies to manage uncertainty. Participants indicated that in their late-career stage, uncertainty became less threatening, allowing for the acceptance of not knowing. On the basis of these findings, recommendations are made to inform training and supervision protocols and provides key points for practicing psychologists to consider in their approach to uncertainty throughout the duration of their career. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)