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RESEARCH PRODUCT
Finding ways to carry on: stories of vulnerability in chronic illness
Målfrid RåheimMålfrid RåheimElse Mari Ruberg EkraRagnhild MichaelsenMagnhild HøieHildegunn SundalLiv BachmannSolfrid VatneElse LykkesletEva GjengedalEva GjengedalOddgeir SynnesOddgeir SynnesElse JørgensenAud Jorun Orøysubject
MaleTime Factorslife worldvulnerabilityChronic illnessDevelopmental psychologyPulmonary Disease Chronic Obstructive0302 clinical medicineEmpirical Studies030212 general & internal medicineYoung adultChildlcsh:R5-920Narration030504 nursingDepressionHealth PolicyAge FactorsVDP::Medical disciplines: 700::Health sciences: 800Middle AgedSocial ParticipationPeer reviewVDP::Medisinske Fag: 700::Helsefag: 800phenomenologyFemaleLife worldlcsh:Medicine (General)0305 other medical sciencePsychologychronic illnessResearch ArticleAdultAdolescentPulmonary diseasenarrative analysisNarrative inquiryYoung Adult03 medical and health sciencesDiabetes MellitusHumansAgedAdult patientsLived experiencestoriesAsthmaIssues ethics and legal aspectsChronic DiseaseQuality of LifeFundamentals and skillsGerontologydescription
Purpose: In this study, we explore the lived experiences of chronic illness in four groups of patients; children with asthma, adolescents with diabetes, young adults with depression, and adult patients with chronic, obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Persons living with chronic illness are often designated as vulnerable. This study builds on the assumption that being vulnerable belongs to being human, and that vulnerability also might entail strength and possibilities for growth. Methods: A narrative analysis was undertaken to illuminate how experiences of vulnerability were narrated across the four patient groups, presenting four individual stories, one from each of the patient groups. Results/conclusion: The stories illuminate how living with a chronic illness implies differing capabilities and capacities dependent on the specific condition. At the same time the stories point to how various abilities and challenges in living with chronic illness can be alleviated or seen as resources. Considered together, the stories underscore how ´finding ways to carry on´ in chronic illness requires interpretational work. By calling upon resources among significant others, in the surroundings and in oneself, the narrator can find ways of interpreting living with chronic illness that might open towards a hopeful future. Keywords: chronic illness, vulnerability, narrative analysis, life world, stories, phenomenology
year | journal | country | edition | language |
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2020-01-01 |