6533b7d5fe1ef96bd126528a
RESEARCH PRODUCT
Experienced health in older women with rheumatoid arthritis.
Tiina-mari LyyraRiitta-liisa Heikkinensubject
Coping (psychology)medicine.medical_specialtyHealth BehaviorGender StudiesArthritis RheumatoidSurveys and QuestionnairesActivities of Daily LivingAdaptation PsychologicalmedicineHumansEveryday lifePsychiatrySelf-rated healthAgedbusiness.industryFocus GroupsMiddle Agedmedicine.diseaseUnited StatesSelf-Help GroupsRheumatoid arthritisQuality of LifeWomen's HealthFemaleGeriatrics and GerontologyOlder peoplebusinessdescription
ABSTRACT This study explored how older women with chronic illness and disability experience their own health. Data were collected in in-depth interviews with ten older women with rheumatoid arthritis. Data analysis and interpretation was carried out within a phenomenological-hermeneutic frame of understanding, which revealed five major themes: health as coping with everyday life, health as freedom, health as absence of inconvenience, health as togetherness and health as mental well-being. For older people with chronic illness and disability, good health found expression in general well-being. It was perceived as a state of equilibrium that the respondents sought to maintain through their own active choices.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007-01-04 | Journal of womenaging |