Time perspective, intolerance of uncertainty and fear of recurrence: Psychosocial predictors of quality of life after cancer.

The post-cancer period is often characterized by uncertainty, particularly regarding the risk of recurrence, which can shape individuals' perceptions of time and influence their quality of life (QoL). This study explored how different time perspectives relate to QoL in cancer survivors, and whether intolerance of uncertainty and fear of recurrence mediate these relationships. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 1082 participants recruited through the Seintinelles platform, using standardized measures of time perspective, intolerance of uncertainty, fear of recurrence, QoL, and socio-demographic/medical variables. Analyses revealed that positive orientations toward the past and present, as well as a future-oriented perspective, were associated with higher QoL, while negative past and fatalistic present orientations predicted lower QoL. Mediation analyses showed that intolerance of uncertainty and fear of recurrence partially explained these links. Findings suggest that interventions fostering adaptive temporal orientations and managing uncertainty may enhance psychological adjustment and well-being in the post-cancer period.