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1
Bibby, Paul. "Experiences of recovery in mental illness." Thesis, University of Edinburgh, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/1842/4104.
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Introduction In recent years the concept of ‘recovery’ has become increasingly prevalent in both government and health service policy, and in the terminology used by mental health service users. The current study examines the experiences of recovery as described by service users living in a rural / semi-rural population. This is in contrast to the majority of similar studies, which have tended to focus on urban centres where population characteristics, and the services available to service users, differ in many ways. As such, the aim of the current study was to add to the growing theory regarding what constitutes recovery from the viewpoint of service users living in a relatively remote area of the UK. Methodology Eight adult participants, all of whom defined themselves as either recovering or having recovered from significant mental health problems, were interviewed about their experiences using a semi-structured interview. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed for emerging themes using a social constructionist version of Grounded Theory. Data Analysis & Discussion Analysis revealed a consistent set of themes emerging from the participant interviews. These are encapsulated in the concept of reflection and integration, and the dynamic nature of these phenomena over time. Participants made reference to the nature of their problems and the impact they had on relationships, the treatment they had sought and received, and the effects of their experiences on their notions of themselves as individuals. Conclusions The findings of the current study are discussed in the light of existing relevant literature and in relation to current policy initiatives. Comparisons to the emerging theory regarding recovery are drawn, and distinctions made between the existing theory and the findings which appear to be particularly pertinent to the sample population. Suggestions for clinical applications are made. Limitations of the study are also addressed, and areas for potential further research are outlined.
2
Glass, Martha J. "College Transition Experiences of Students with Mental Illness." Diss., Virginia Tech, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/26283.
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Retention of college students has continued to be a concern for many people connected with higher education (Baum & Ma, 2007; Day & Newburger, 2002; Habley & McClanahan, 2004). The high school to college transition experience has been identified as a key factor in studentsâ decision to remain in college and persist to graduation (Hunter, 2006; Levitz & Noel, 1989; Pascarella & Terenzini, 2005; Roe Clark, 2005). More students than ever are coming to higher education with mental health challenges (Kadison & DiGeronimo, 2004; Soet & Sevig, 2006) but a thorough review of the literature reveals no literature on the transition experience of students that have been diagnosed with psychiatric illness.
The purpose of this study was to understand and describe how students diagnosed with a mental illness experience the college transition. In addition, the study provided an understanding of the transition experience for these students at three different types of institutions. The theoretical framework for this study was Schlossbergâ s (1984) transition theory. The individuals in the sample included 18-19 year old traditional first year college students diagnosed with mental illness.
Interviews were conducted with 21 respondents during their second semester of college. Data analysis revealed themes under the topics of individual characteristics, academic and social transition, and institutional differences. Findings revealed that these first year students with mental illness had many of the same developmental and transition experiences and challenges as their peers. However, their transition experiences were complicated by the daily tasks of managing medications, symptoms, counseling appointments, academic support services, and involvement of parents. Participants were learning to take responsibility for their own well-being but still needed a safety-net. In addition, respondents described resources and strategies that they used to adjust academically and socially, such as receiving academic accommodations and disclosing their diagnosis to faculty and friends. The students described their campuses in similar ways, as friendly and supportive, with few institutional differences. In general, the participants confronted challenges early during their transition but at the time of the interviews they seemed to be experiencing a successful transition.Ph. D.
3
Rehm, Roberta S. "Mexican American family experiences with chronic childhood illness /." Thesis, Connect to this title online; UW restricted, 1996. http://hdl.handle.net/1773/7327.
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McKee, Kaitlyn M. "Chronic Illness Stigma: The Experiences of Emerging Adults." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2017. https://dc.etsu.edu/honors/422.
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Individuals with chronic illness often face the added burden of stigma associated with their chronic conditions. Stigma has been associated with fewer psychosocial resources of social support, self-esteem, and self-compassion, as well as less access and usage of mental and physical healthcare. However, it is unclear whether stigma experiences vary by age of the individuals with chronic illness. It was hypothesized that emerging adults would report more perceived stigma, fewer psychosocial resources and less access to medical treatments. It was additionally hypothesized that perceived stigma would mediate the association between age and outcomes. 197 participants completed an online survey using Survey Monkey. Results of multiple regression analysis testing for mediation did not support hypotheses. In fact, emerging adults reported easier access to treatments than older adults. Post-hoc analyses were conducted and revealed that among emerging adults – but not older adults – perceived stigma was significantly related to less access to medical treatments. Thus, age may moderate the impact of stigma of chronic illness on access to healthcare in individuals with chronic illness, rather than predict more or less stigma of chronic illness. This indicates that in spite of easier access to care for emerging adults, increased stigma might interfere with their seeking of that care. Future studies should examine the impact of stigma on emerging adults’ treatment access.
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Gustafsson, Silje. "Self-care for Minor Illness: People's Experiences and Needs." Doctoral thesis, Luleå tekniska universitet, Omvårdnad, 2016. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:ltu:diva-361.
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During later years, the primary care services are experiencing a heavier strain in terms of increasing expenses and higher demand for medical services. An increased awareness about pharmaceutical adverse effects and the global concern of antibiotic resistance has given self-care and active surveillance a stronger position within the primary care services. The management strategy for minor illnesses is important because care-seekers tend to repeat successful strategies from past events, and past experience with self-care drives future self-care practices. The overall aim of this thesis was to explore people’s experiences and needs when practicing self-care and receiving self-care advice for minor illnesses. This was achieved by studying people’s experiences with and knowledge of minor illnesses, self-care interventions and channels of information used when providing self-care for minor illness. Needs for confidence in self-care were studied, as well as supporting and obstructing factors in the practice of self-care. Satisfaction with telephone nursing and people’s experiences of reassurance in relation to the decision-making process in self-care for minor illness was explored. The results showed that experience correlated with self-rated knowledge of the condition, and the least common conditions most often generated a health care services consultation. To confidently practice self-care people needed good knowledge and understanding about obtaining symptom relief. Younger persons more often reported the need of having family or friends to talk to. Easy access to care was most often reported as a support in self-care, and a lack of knowledge about illnesses was most often reported as obstructing self-care. Care-seekers receiving self-care advice were less satisfied with the telephone nursing than care-seekers referred to medical care, and feeling reassured after the call was the most important factor influencing satisfaction. Self-care advice had a constricting influence on healthcare utilization, with 66.1% of the cases resulting in a lower level of care than first intended. The course of action that persons in self-care decided on was found to relate to uncertainty and perception of risk. Reassurance had the potential to allay doubts and fears to confidence, thereby influencing self-care and consultation behavior. In conclusion, symptoms of minor illness can cause uncertainty and concern, and reassurance is an important factor influencing people’s course of action when afflicted with minor illness. The nurse constitutes a calming force, and the encounter between the nurse and the care-seeker holds a unique possibility of reassurance and confidence that minor illness is self-limiting to its nature and that effective interventions can provide relief and comfort. Just as health is more than the absence of disease, self-care is more than the absence of medical care.
6
Lenton, Rebecca. "Living with chronic illness : experiences of diagnosis and treatment." Thesis, University of Warwick, 2017. http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/94817/.
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The experience of living with a chronic illness can impact on both the person receiving a diagnosis and those close to them. Experiences of diagnosis and any subsequent treatment are important as it allows individual, lived experiences to be better understood. Through exploring these experiences, it is hoped that services, treatment and support could be developed and improved. This paper consists of three chapters. Chapter one focuses on the experiences of partners of men with prostate cancer. A review of the literature identified twenty-two papers that are reviewed and synthesised into four overarching themes. Changes to the relationship and the unmet needs of partners are explored. Further ways in which services and professionals can support partners are identified. Chapter two involves a qualitative study exploring the experiences of seven men living with a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis is utilised to understand men’s lived experiences. One theme identifies the battles men experience internally and externally in relation to vulnerability, masculinity, medication and stigma. Clinical implications and research directions are identified. Chapter three is a reflective account of the overall research process. It spans from the development of the research proposal through to conducting and reflecting on the research undertaken. Consideration is given to the role of a Clinical Psychologist in the research process.
7
Mondragon, Troy. "Supported Housing Experiences of People with Serious Mental Illness." CSUSB ScholarWorks, 2015. https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd/233.
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The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of people living with serious mental illness (SMI) receiving housing assistance. A qualitative method was used to interview five adults with SMI living in a supported housing model. An Ecological Systems Theory (EST) was used as the theoretical orientation for the study. The major themes related to success of the supported housing that emerged were independence, involvement of owners, bonds with tenants, having access and means to resources, and positive engagement in well-being. No themes of unmet needs were presented.
The study concluded people with SMI in need of housing will benefit by being in a supported housing model such as the one in the study. The two main limitations of the study are small sample size and limits in generalizing beyond the one location.
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Brown, Amanda. "The Lived Experiences of Managing Uncertainty in Chronic Illness." ScholarWorks, 2018. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/4912.
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Chronic illness is an increasing concern in the United States as the CDC reports that about 50% of adults have at least 1 chronic illness. When individuals must adjust to chronic illness they may experience uncertainty regarding the illness, prognosis, and symptoms. The purpose of this qualitative, phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of individuals living with uncertainty in chronic illnesses. A Merle Mishel's uncertainty in illness theory was the framework used to explore the lives of individuals diagnosed and living with chronic illness. In-depth interviews were conducted with 8 individuals who have chronic disease; data were audio-recorded and transcribed. The data were analyzed using thematic coding, and stored in NVivo and categorized for commonality in results. Results revealed themes that individuals with chronic illness do experience uncertainty and that it impacts almost all aspects of their lives. The individuals expressed changes in daily activities, the need to plan ahead, altering plans based on symptoms, and retraining their minds to accept their new normal. Individuals diagnosed with chronic illness face daily challenges. Obtaining a better understanding of alternate ways to cope and manage uncertainty can greatly impact the individuals quality of life. The information produced from this study will help contribute to positive social change to enable healthcare providers to address the uncertainty at diagnoses and offer ways for individuals to cope and manage the additional stressor. Recommended areas for further research include repeating the study with a larger, more diverse sample, conducting interviews during different times of the year, and investigating the use of a multidisciplinary team approach for chronic illness treatment.
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Van, Dyk D. L., and H. Bezuidenhout. "Learning experiences of students during integrated management of childhood illness (IMCI) training." Journal for New Generation Sciences, Vol 11, Issue 2: Central University of Technology, Free State, Bloemfontein, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/11462/641.
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Published ArticleThe aim of the study on which this article is based was to reflect on the learning experiences of students during integrated management of childhood illness (IMCI) training in an undergraduate programme. IMCI is a set of guidelines that was established by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for cost-effective quality care for children younger than five to prevent diseases and death (WHO, 2004). Skilled primary healthcare workers are required to provide quality care at first contact with these children. The IMCI package was presented as an integral part of the second-year module that focuses on primary healthcare. In order to improve the quality of health services and refocus the health system on primary health-care (South Africa Department of Health, 2010), students have to demonstrate that they have achieved competence. According to Killen (2000:188), competence is a holistic term and focuses on knowledge, skills and values instead of competencies, which refer to specific capabilities. Primary health-care workers who act competently will integrate foundational IMCI knowledge with skills and values as well as with the ability to verify their decisions (Killen, 2000:188). Aqualitative, exploratory and descriptive research design was used to investigate the IMCI learning experiences. Such experiences are one of the indications whether training has been successful and how it can be improved (Suski, 2004:222). Data was collected by means of nominal-group technique (NGT) interviews with second-year nursing students of the training school who complied with the criteria for inclusion. NGT interviews were used effectively to evaluate clinical interaction, education and training.The findings reflected the different emotions experienced during teaching and learning as having been positive, negative or neutral. The consideration of negative emotions will assist with the improvement of IMCI teaching and learning, but all these findings can be useful for other higher-education institutions that present or plan to present IMCI training.
10
Tsope, Lindiwe. "A narrative study of patients’ illness experiences on antiretroviral treatment." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/63032.
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Eight female respondents, who have publicly disclosed their HIV-positive status on social media, were involved in a semi-structured in-depth interview process. Using the theoretical frameworks of symbolic interactionism and social constructionism, the study explores the effects of antiretroviral treatment on patients’ illness experiences, looking at the personal and social symbolisms and meanings attached to taking antiretrovirals. The study revealed a positive and inspirational aspect of living with HIV/AIDS and especially consuming antiretroviral therapy. It became evident that the knowledge participants had of antiretrovirals before consuming them was misguided and based more on false ‘general knowledge’ among laypersons than actual medical fact. Moreover, the study revealed that there is a social reconstruction of narratives that has taken place in each participant’s life due to consuming antiretrovirals. Publicly disclosing their statuses has also proved to have both negative and positive consequences for the individuals and for society at large. While there is a consensus that participants’ illness experiences are directly affected by antiretroviral treatment, each participant’s narrative is different, yet positive.
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Wiitavaara, Birgitta. "Balancing intrusive illness : the experiences of people with musculoskeletal problems." Doctoral thesis, Umeå : Univ, 2007. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-1150.
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Venter, Mariska. "Cancer patients' illness experiences during a group intervention / Mariska Venter." Thesis, North-West University, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10394/4154.
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The high incidence of cancer and the accompanying medical and psychological effects thereof make
exploring cancer patients' experiences regarding their illness potentially valuable. The aim of this
study was to qualitatively explore cancer patients' illness experiences during a listening group
intervention. Secondary analysis was done on data previously collected by Strydom (2006), for his
study on "Cancer patients' and non-cancer patients' experiences of the listening group technique." The use of this post-modernist approach, in which the individual is seen as the expert in his/her own life, makes the data gathered by Strydom (2006) eminently suitable for gaining a true understanding of cancer patients' illness experiences. Analysis of the data yielded twelve prevalent themes namely,
support, perspectives and experiences in medical context, perspectives on life and death, emotional
experiences, religion, role of knowledge and information pertaining to cancer, finances, concern for
others, loss, desire for survival, humour, and physical symptoms. In an attempt to make sense of these themes a framework suggesting moderating factors that would influence cancer patients' illness experiences and outcomes, is proposed. Due to the rising number of cancer survivors and the fact that finishing the treatment seldom indicates the end of the cancer experience, it is suggested that further research regarding the development of a survivorship care programme within the South African context be undertaken.Thesis (M.A. (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.
13
Gelling, Leslie. "The illness experiences of people with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus." Thesis, Anglia Ruskin University, 2007. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.442143.
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Sibayan, Juanita. "Family Relational Experiences During Major Transitions with a Chronic Illness." ScholarWorks, 2018. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/5266.
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Although health care transitions have received some attention in the literature, few researchers have emphasized family relational experiences and communication during major changes while living with a chronic illness. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the lived experience of parents and their adult children while transitioning from pediatric to adult care of a chronic illness. The bio-psychosocial theory, family systems theory, and attachment theory established the context for this study. A criterion-based sampling technique and snowball sampling were used to recruit 7 parents and 6 of their adult children aged 18 to 30 years who were diagnosed with cystic fibrosis or congenital heart disease, and who had either completed or were in the process of completing the transition from pediatric to adult healthcare. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and content analysis was used to code and analyze themes that emerged from the experiences of participants. The themes that were identified included that parents were instrumental in maintenance of treatments during high risk periods of adolescence, healthy parent and child relations included collaboration that accommodated autonomy, and that early coaching helped reduce parental anxiety about non-adherence while increasing the self-efficacy of the child. This study contributes to positive social change by informing the design of current procedures to transition young adults with chronic illness by recommending flexibility in negotiations, early education, shadowing between facilities, and incorporating evidence-based practice based on feedback from each family member.
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Salgado, Lori. "Experiences of Colorado Parents as They Recognized Their Child's Mental Illness." ScholarWorks, 2016. http://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/hodgkinson/24.
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Mental illness is not only the leading cause of disability among adults, but there is also an emerging public health crisis in childhood mental illness. A majority of parents do not recognize symptoms of psychological disorder in their children, and current policies and programs for mental health service delivery are not sufficiently responsive to the early help-seeking dynamics of families. Using a concurrent mixed methods design, this study explored how parents in the Pikes Peak region of Colorado learned to recognize their child's mental illness. Phenomenological interviews, augmented by poetic inquiry and quantitative measurements, were used to discover factors that inhibited or enhanced five mothers' recognitions. These factors were then evaluated using a frequency distribution analysis and a rank-order correlation. The phenomenon of recognition was, for these mothers, a process of waiting to hear that â??normalâ?? had stopped, wherein they miscategorized symptoms as normal behaviors in a passing developmental phase. Prior experience with mental illness appeared to significantly decrease both the length of time and the level of distress necessary for recognition. Ultimately, recognition did not occur until someone in their social network validated their concerns and provided explicit confirmation, which galvanized them to seek treatment. Governance network collaborations can facilitate positive social change by standardizing guidance on how to differentiate symptoms of a disorder from normal childhood development. Public policies and programs such as universal mental health screening, mental health literacy, and more supportive and responsive school policies can foster dialogue for parental recognition in Colorado and throughout the country.
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Kensall, Sherri Lynn. "Experiences of ethnic minorities with chronic illness accessing primary health care." Thesis, University of British Columbia, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/34185.
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Living with a chronic illness such as diabetes or heart disease and accessing health care over many years can be a challenge for anyone. This experience is further impacted by experiences associated with being an ethnic minority where challenges in communicating with health care providers or encountering different views on health care can make navigating the system more difficult. Within the current health care system in British Columbia, the Primary Health Care (PHC) Charter articulates a clear role for PHC as the setting in which chronic illness care is organized and delivered. Unfortunately, interactions in PHC can be both a source of support and of stress for individuals. In order to provide care which supports individuals to self manage their health, it is important that PHC providers understand common experiences and priorities for diverse populations when seeking care in the ongoing management of their condition.
Through secondary analysis, this study analyzes data from a recent research project exploring the experiences of ethnic minorities in PHC by Dr Wong. Data from twelve focus groups with a subset of participants with chronic illness was examined to further advance aspects of chronic illness management within the context of the current health care environment in British Columbia (BC). This data was viewed within a critical cultural perspective to inform both current and future practice in order to promote care which is culturally safe and at the same time supports individuals in adopting healthier lifestyles and maximizing their confidence in managing their health. Results from this study highlight the challenges encountered by anyone managing a chronic illness but also how ethnic minorities may face an increased burden of illness. This study also explores how approaches in the charter, specifically the expanded chronic care model, need to be viewed critically in terms of the potential to promote a sense of individual responsibility for care or further racialization through subcategorizing individuals based on ethnicity. This study also highlights benefits in the approaches to CDM especially in the investments in resources in multiple languages and potential for building stronger linkages to community programs.
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Jones, David W. "Relative views of madness : families' experiences of living with mental illness." Thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London), 1997. http://etheses.lse.ac.uk/1480/.
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This study examines the experiences of relatives of people suffering from long-term mental illness. The impetus and context for this study has been provided by the well publicised Regional Health Authority sponsored closure programmes of Friern and Claybury Psychiatric Hospitals. These planned closures have emerged from several decades of a fairly consistent, nation wide, shift of services from the old hospital sites to the community. The study has taken place amid a certain amount of confusion about the future direction of Community Care policy. In an attempt to grapple with this, the particular focus for the thesis is the experiences of relatives of people who in past decades might have found their homes within the Asylums, had they not been closing. It is argued that study around this group provides valuable insight into current difficulties. On a policy level it is argued that it has been, albeit largely unacknowledged, anxiety about 'the family' that has been significantly orchestrating the broad sweep of mental health policy changes, certainly since the middle of the last century. A review and critique of previous models used to study 'families and mental illness' is provided. Their failure to capture vital aspects of the relatives' experiences is highlighted. The roots of this failure are charted within the dominant paradigms of social science and their social and political contexts. Using material from in depth interviews the devices employed by relatives to construct and attach meaning to their experiences are explored. It is argued that relatives are involved in a negotiation of meaning within the discourses that surround them. The relatives' experiences are examined in terms of the complex grief process, the experience of shame and the encounter with stigma which all take place within the framework of meaning provided by 'the family'. Here, as these apparently intimate affects are explored, and their social significance highlighted it becomes clear that the traditional paradigms of social science that, for example make great distinction between psychological and sociological levels of understanding, are insufficient.
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Deavin, Toni. "A qualitative exploration of family members' experiences of paediatric chronic illness." Thesis, Lancaster University, 2017. http://eprints.lancs.ac.uk/88898/.
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This thesis comprises of two parts aiming to explore family members’ experiences of living with a child who has a paediatric chronic illness (PCI) and one part that also reflects on the research process. The systematic review utilised a thematic meta-synthesis approach to analyse 12 studies, consulting 373 healthy siblings regarding their experiences of living with a PCI. The synthesis resulted in two themes. The first theme was ‘Changing relationships’ which had two sub-themes: ‘Changing family relationships’ and ‘Changing relationship to self’. The second theme was ‘Managing changes’ which had three sub-themes: ‘Coping and acceptance’, ‘Support from friends peers and support groups’ and ‘Negative reactions from others’. Siblings were found to adopt new roles, new skills and eventually develop a new ‘prosocial’ identity in order to find more socially acceptable ways to meet their needs and the needs of the family. The research paper explored parents’ stories of adjustment to having a son with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Narrative analysis was applied to seven semi-structured interviews of five women and two men. The analysis identified key narrative elements from their stories that were then collated into demographics and contextual data, individual summary stories and three common chapters: ‘Investigating and fighting: “Something’s not right”’; ‘Making meaning of the diagnosis’; and ‘Living a normal life’. Parents explored narratives relating to acute and chronic illness, altering their identity from parent to carer and providing a normal and happy life for their son. Finally, a critical appraisal of the research reflected on the use of qualitative research in health settings and how the associated issues applied to this thesis. Epistemology was used as the lens to view how decisions in the research were made, in particular highlighting the importance of quality, the debate regarding validity and identifying relevant future research.
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Connell, Shirley Elizabeth. "Young Australian women with breast cancer : perspectives of their illness experiences." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2005. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/16054/1/Shirley_Connell_Thesis.pdf.
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Young women with breast cancer have been found to experience their disease more negatively and more intensely than their older counterparts. However 'young' is not uniformly defined within the literature. Studies have reported on a wide range of ages considered to be 'young', such as samples simply divided by menopausal status or other researcher-defined parameters. For the purpose of this study, young women with breast cancer were defined as those diagnosed at 40 years of age or younger. The overarching aim of the study was to explore the problems faced by this group of young women using qualitative methodology, guided by constructionist epistemology, and grounded in symbolic interactionism and social constructionism. The study was conducted longitudinally, with data collected three times over a 12-18 month period using one-to-one in-depth semi-structured interviews. Baseline data were collected in the first phase of the study (n=35). A sub-group of participants (n=13) were chosen to be followed twice more approximately six months apart, which made up the next two phases. Themes derived from the literature guided the first phase of the study, data collection and analysis. Data analysis was performed after each data collection phase, with findings informing the next phase/s of the study. Thematic and content analysis were utilized in regards to the analysis of the first phase of the study, providing a framework identifying the most pressing concerns, such as those centred around children and partners, emotional aspects and negative physical consequences of treatment. Interrelationships between these themes were apparent. Findings suggest that the emotional support needs of this group of young women remains a challenge. Basic analytical principles of data reduction, data display and drawing conclusions guided the following phases of the analysis. NUD*IST (N6) software was utilized to help undertake in-depth analysis of all follow-up data. The literature concentrates on infertility as a concern for young women with breast cancer, however the study found that fertility per se was a concern for this group of women. Issues of maintained and regained fertility were reported, i.e., concerns surrounding suitable, safe and reliable contraception, pregnancy and breastfeeding after breast cancer. Over time, perceptions of fertility changed. Decisions related to unplanned pregnancies and breastfeeding were particularly onerous. The study also provided other insights into the participants' lives. Body image is suggested to be of greater concern for younger women with breast cancer than their older counterparts. Perceptions of breast symbolism, societal and personal, were explored, as were perceptions of the external portrayal of their bodies. In addition, the participants reported how their experience of breast cancer differed from that of older women with breast cancer, e.g., to be and dress more sexually. Theories and notions of social constructionism and the social construction of the body helped explain the participants' experiences. The women were acutely aware of the sexual importance society placed on women's breasts. Social norms and expectations and cultural trends, that is the youth and beauty culture, were found to greatly influence the participants' perceptions and hence decisions made. Prosthesis use and breast reconstructive surgery were viewed as normalising efforts undertaken by participants to reduce stigma related to breast loss/disfigurement and to enhance body image. The findings from this study provide a greater understanding of the issues, concerns and experiences of young women with breast cancer and provide information that could be utilized in the redesign of educational/information resources to provide these women with relevant information. Currently available support services may also benefit from these findings as greater understanding of these women's experiences may facilitate and promote the provision of more age-appropriate support for young women with breast cancer diagnosed in the future.
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Connell, Shirley Elizabeth. "Young Australian Women with Breast Cancer: Perspectives of their Illness Experiences." Queensland University of Technology, 2005. http://eprints.qut.edu.au/16054/.
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Young women with breast cancer have been found to experience their disease more negatively and more intensely than their older counterparts. However 'young' is not uniformly defined within the literature. Studies have reported on a wide range of ages considered to be 'young', such as samples simply divided by menopausal status or other researcher-defined parameters. For the purpose of this study, young women with breast cancer were defined as those diagnosed at 40 years of age or younger. The overarching aim of the study was to explore the problems faced by this group of young women using qualitative methodology, guided by constructionist epistemology, and grounded in symbolic interactionism and social constructionism. The study was conducted longitudinally, with data collected three times over a 12-18 month period using one-to-one in-depth semi-structured interviews. Baseline data were collected in the first phase of the study (n=35). A sub-group of participants (n=13) were chosen to be followed twice more approximately six months apart, which made up the next two phases. Themes derived from the literature guided the first phase of the study, data collection and analysis. Data analysis was performed after each data collection phase, with findings informing the next phase/s of the study. Thematic and content analysis were utilized in regards to the analysis of the first phase of the study, providing a framework identifying the most pressing concerns, such as those centred around children and partners, emotional aspects and negative physical consequences of treatment. Interrelationships between these themes were apparent. Findings suggest that the emotional support needs of this group of young women remains a challenge. Basic analytical principles of data reduction, data display and drawing conclusions guided the following phases of the analysis. NUD*IST (N6) software was utilized to help undertake in-depth analysis of all follow-up data. The literature concentrates on infertility as a concern for young women with breast cancer, however the study found that fertility per se was a concern for this group of women. Issues of maintained and regained fertility were reported, i.e., concerns surrounding suitable, safe and reliable contraception, pregnancy and breastfeeding after breast cancer. Over time, perceptions of fertility changed. Decisions related to unplanned pregnancies and breastfeeding were particularly onerous. The study also provided other insights into the participants' lives. Body image is suggested to be of greater concern for younger women with breast cancer than their older counterparts. Perceptions of breast symbolism, societal and personal, were explored, as were perceptions of the external portrayal of their bodies. In addition, the participants reported how their experience of breast cancer differed from that of older women with breast cancer, e.g., to be and dress more sexually. Theories and notions of social constructionism and the social construction of the body helped explain the participants' experiences. The women were acutely aware of the sexual importance society placed on women's breasts. Social norms and expectations and cultural trends, that is the youth and beauty culture, were found to greatly influence the participants' perceptions and hence decisions made. Prosthesis use and breast reconstructive surgery were viewed as normalising efforts undertaken by participants to reduce stigma related to breast loss/disfigurement and to enhance body image. The findings from this study provide a greater understanding of the issues, concerns and experiences of young women with breast cancer and provide information that could be utilized in the redesign of educational/information resources to provide these women with relevant information. Currently available support services may also benefit from these findings as greater understanding of these women's experiences may facilitate and promote the provision of more age-appropriate support for young women with breast cancer diagnosed in the future.
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Lekera, Ivy J. "Living with mental illness: A descriptive study of individual adult experiences of living with mental illness in Zomba, Malawi." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 1997. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/913.
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The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of mental illness in the adult Malawian context. Using the interpretive paradigm, content analysis was used to uncover the lived experiences of mental illness. This study was based on the philosophy that meaning of a phenomenon is best understood if studied within its specific context and within Parse's theoretical framework. Two to four per cent of the global population share the experience of mental illness, however, little is known of individual experiences within the Malawian context. Much of the literature has focused on the physiological aspects, causes, and therapies involved in managing mental illness. Given the less than optimal availability of literature on the topic, this descriptive study was conducted in Zomba, Malawi. A convenience sample of 10 adult outpatients (six women and four men) with schizophrenia or bipolar affective disorders were interviewed to elicit descriptions of experiences of their conditions. The participants' mental conditions were considered stable at the time they were attending the community mental health services. As a result of their experiences, the researcher categorised the participants' descriptions as follows; view of the self, view of their illness, other peoples' views, stigmatisation and discrimination, loss, suffering and distress, fear, gender issues, and coping strategies. The findings showed that this study made a contribution to nursing knowledge that is relevant to the understanding of mental illness. It is possible that this knowledge may also form the basis for recommendations in nursing care and counselling services for the mentally ill persons in Malawi.
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Khanum, Sultana Mustafa. "'We just buy illness in exchange for hunger' : experiences of health care, heath and illness among Bangladeshi women in Britain." Thesis, Keele University, 1994. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.386604.
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Ozen, Yelda. "Health And Illness Experiences Among The Urban Poor: The Case Of Altindag." Phd thesis, METU, 2008. http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/3/12609438/index.pdf.
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In this study similarities and differences in health experiences among urban poor in relation to the forms of capital they possess: economic, social, cultural, and health capital and the different positions they hold in the urban field, are analyzed. The research was conducted in two poor gecekondu neighborhoods in Altindag, Baraj and Gültepe, via face to face interviews with 40 individuals. A main finding has been that the different forms of capital, in volume as well as in composition, had an influence on the urban poor&rsquo
s health perceptions, health care access, health seeking strategies and experiences in health institutions. The rural-urban migrants refer to a habitus in relation to health which still strongly relies on their rural practices. Major differences among men and women have been observed, where men seem to be more open to integrate into the urban dispositions. Economic capital plays a crucial role. Regular income earners do tend to emphasize that they have a certain autonomy and control over their health. On the other hand, benefit dependent poor mention that they have less control over their health. Economic capital can be seen as very much the same among the group studied, but the differences in health experiences rely strongly on Cultural capital is understood as their different identities: villager/non-villager
illiterate/ non-illiterate
women/men
healthy/non-healthy. Social capital (formal and informal solidarity networks) is studied as the role in health experiences, access to health care and strategies to use the existing health system
as well as how individuals support each other materially and immaterially. Social capital is important because it converts into economic capital, not as exchange but as use value. An analysis of the different forms of capital allows us to address at the interrelationship of structural conditions in the field and the practices actors experience through their internalized habitus. Health experiences therefore differ even among a socio-economic homogenous group. In addition to the above mentioned forms of capital, it is also argued that health itself should be considered as a form of capital. Health capital (self perceived health/illness and medically diagnosed disease) influences and is influenced by the other forms of capital.
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Worster, Barbara. "What are the illness experiences of patients following surgery for colorectal cancer?" Thesis, University of Kent, 2006. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.497699.
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Mohamad, Mohd Suhaimi. "Families' experiences of caregiving for a person with mental illness in Malaysia." Thesis, University of Bristol, 2011. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.540888.
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Tuffour, Isaac. "Black African service users experiences of recovery from mental illness in England." Thesis, City, University of London, 2017. http://openaccess.city.ac.uk/18096/.
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Background: Recovery is a complex and contested concept. Many studies have explored the meaning of the concept from the perspectives of service users suffering from mental illness. However, too little attention has been paid to the experiences of Black African service users (BASUs) living in England. At the time of writing this work there were no studies that have explored recovery from the perspectives of BASUs in England. Aims of the study: The aim of the present study is to explore experiences of recovery from mental illness of BASUs in England. Methodology and methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twelve BASUs. The interviews were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Findings: Five superordinate themes were derived from the analysis: (1) it is different in Africa; (2) it all started in England; (3) shattered; 4) ‘freaked out’; and (5) focus on recovery. An in-depth explanation of these superordinate themes and the related subordinate themes is presented. The findings highlight the multifaceted ways in which BASUs understand their experiences of mental illness and recovery. Discussion: The insight gained from these findings provided rich information about the complexities of the participants’ experiences of recovery from mental illness. Participants’ explanatory models of mental illness included the complexities of migration, African-centred worldviews and negative life experiences. Participants conceptualised recovery in the context of their social and cultural backgrounds, remission or eradication of symptoms, spirituality, resourcefulness, resilience and unique personal identities. An emerging conceptual model of recovery is formed (Figure 3). Findings are discussed considering existing theory and literature. Implications for clinical practice in relation to the provision of care and promoting recovery for BASUs in England are considered.
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Williams, Helen. "Everyday experiences of medicine and illness in the novels of Willkie Collins." Thesis, University of Birmingham, 2015. http://etheses.bham.ac.uk//id/eprint/5816/.
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Focusing on the novels of Wilkie Collins, this thesis identifies the ways in which Collins’s narratives outline the complex nature of layperson interactions with, and experiences of, medicine, healthcare and illness in the latter half of the nineteenth century. Drawing on a variety of contextual sources, ranging from letters, diaries and recipe books to newspaper articles, architectural plans and courtroom testimonies, the discussion uses Collins’s work alongside these documents to demonstrate that many of his middle-class readers would have encountered aspects of medicine and illness in a surprising array of settings, spaces, discourses and domains. In bringing these points of intersection to light, the thesis argues that Collins’s work stands as a substantial record of how the lay public energetically and intelligently engaged with medical matters – a point often overlooked – but also emphasises Collins’s own vibrant interest in medicine, bodies and illness. In so doing, the discussion is able to draw out new dimensions to Collins’s treatment of key themes, such as the relationships between bodies and gender, architecture and illness, and medicine and literature, and to provide new readings of a range of his major and lesser-known works.
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Eriksson, Stephanie, and Maria Johansson. "Pill, Plant or Pray? Siwan Berbers’ experiences of illness, cure and relief." Thesis, Högskolan i Borås, Institutionen för Vårdvetenskap, 2008. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:hb:diva-19089.
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This study is a part of the Minor Field Study Programme funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). The study was carried out during the spring of 2008 in the oasis of Siwa. Siwa is situated in the western desert of Egypt. The authors had been informed about the health care resources available and that people only to some extent used those. The study has a qualitative approach and the essay is based on the experiences of seven respondents. The aim of the study is to describe Siwan Berbers’ experiences of illness, cure and relief. Semi structural interviews were conducted and the data was analysed through a qualitative content analysis. The result was compiled into three themes which further were divided into sub themes. The themes were: “the idea of illness”, “explanation models to illness” and “relief and cure”. The result shows that the views on causes to illness affect the actual choice of cure and relief chosen. Furthermore, financial aspects are considered and it is also essential to feel confidence to the caregiver in order to achieve cure and relief. The result is discussed in relation to the background and relevant literature concerning cultural and developing issues. This Minor Field Study is important since it enlightens some of the factors a person takes into consideration when he or she selects alternatives for cure and relief during the illness experience.Program: Sjuksköterskeutbildning
Uppsatsnivå: C
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Weimand, Bente Margrethe. "Experiences and Nursing Support of Relatives of Persons with Severe Mental Illness." Doctoral thesis, Karlstads universitet, Avdelningen för omvårdnad, 2012. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kau:diva-12821.
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Aim: The overall aim of this thesis was to illuminate experiences of relatives of persons with severe mental illness, and their need for support from formal care. Furthermore, to illuminate nursing support of relatives of persons with severe mental illness. Methods: A mixed methods design was used. In study I, data was collected with a questionnaire responded by 226 relatives and analysed with statistics. In study II, data was gathered with interviews with a strategic sample of 18 relatives, analysed with phenomenography. Study III gathered data from 216 relatives using open-ended questions in the questionnaire (I), analysed with qualitative content analysis. In study IV, data was collected by means of focus-group interviews with 4 groups of nurses, working in mental healthcare and analysed with phenomenography. Main findings: The relatives experienced that their lives were intertwined with the life of their severely mentally ill next of kin. The relatives experienced burden and a poor health, and there were associations between burden and health (I). The relatives had to balance between multiple concerns and make choices on behalf of others and themselves, constantly struggling between opposing feelings and between reflections (II). Relatives’ encounters with mental health personnel were mainly negative, although some had positive experiences. They strived for involvement in mental healthcare for the sake of their severely mentally ill next of kin, and wanted inclusion and support for their own sake, but mostly felt left alone with straining but inescapable responsibilities (III). The nurses conceived that their responsibility was first and foremost the patient and to develop an alliance with him or her. The nurses often felt they had to exclude relatives, but were sometimes able to support them (IV). Conclusions: Relatives’ lives are intertwined with the life of their severely mentally ill next of kin. Relatives’ overall demanding life situation means that the mental health services must involve relatives for the sake of the severely mentally ill person but also include them for their own sake. They need practical and emotional support. Guidelines must be designed to address relatives’ needs, and support must be adapted to the individual relative.Hensikt: Avhandlingens overordnete hensikt var å belyse erfaringer med å være pårørende til personer med alvorlig psykisk lidelse, og deres behov for støtte fra helsevesenet. Videre å belyse støtte fra sykepleiere til pårørende til personer med alvorlig psykisk lidelse. Metode: Mixed methods design ble benyttet. I studie I ble data samlet med spørreskjema besvart av 226 pårørende, og analysert med statistikk. I studie II ble data samlet ved hjelp av intervju med et strategisk utvalg av 18 pårørende, analysert med fenomenografi. I studie III ble data samlet gjennom åpne spørsmål i et spørreskjema (I), besvart av 216 pårørende og analysert med kvalitativ innholdsanalyse. I studie IV ble data samlet ved hjelp av fokusgruppeintervju med 4 grupper sykepleiere fra psykisk helsevern, analysert med fenomenografi. Hovedfunn: Pårørende opplevde at deres liv var sammenvevd med livet til den som hadde en alvorlig psykisk lidelse. De pårørende opplevde byrde og dårlig helse, og det var sammenheng mellom byrde og helse (I). De pårørende måtte balansere en rekke hensyn, gjøre valg på vegne av andre og seg selv, og samtidig kjempe med motstridende følelser og motstridende tanker (II). Pårørendes erfaringer med møter med helsepersonell i psykisk helsevern var hovedsakelig negative, men noen hadde positive opplevelser. De strevde for å bli involvert i behandlingen for familiemedlemmet med den alvorlige psykiske lidelsen sin del, de ønsket å bli inkludert og motta støtte for egen del, men følte seg overlatt med strevsomt ansvar som de ikke kunne unnslippe (III). Sykepleierne anså at deres ansvar først og fremst var overfor pasienten, og å skape en allianse med vedkommende. Sykepleierne opplevde ofte at de måtte ekskludere pårørende, men var noen ganger i stand til å støtte dem (IV). Konklusjoner: Pårørendes liv er sammenvevd med livet til den som har en alvorlig psykisk lidelse. Pårørendes krevende livssituasjon innebærer at psykisk helsevern må involvere dem for den som har den alvorlige psykiske lidelsen, samt inkludere pårørende for deres egen del. De har behov for praktisk og emosjonell støtte. Retningslinjer må på plass for å ivareta pårørendes behov, og støtten må tilpasses den enkelte pårørende
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Laurie, Gina. "A psychosocial study of young adults’ experiences of their sibling’s mental illness." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/6165.
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There are a number of studies that investigate the experiences of mental illness in the context of sibling relationships. However, these studies have not focused on young adulthood and limited research has been conducted in South Africa. This research uses a psychosocial framework which combines psychoanalytic theory and social constructionism to account for individual subjectivity and social influences. This method sought to answer two main research questions: how do young adults construct their experiences of having a sibling with a mental illness and with what effects, and how might we understand the emotional investments in these constructions? Six participants were interviewed and the findings suggest that participants draw on four main discourses in constructing their siblings’ mental illness: a discourse of mental illness as a sickness, a discourse of mental illness as part of the person, a discourse of mental illness as bad behaviour, and a discourse of mental illness as a spiritual issue. These discourses and the function of these discourses are discussed. Furthermore, an extract from one participant is examined in a case study format so as to explore the emotional investments in the discourse of mental illness as bad behaviour, arguing that her investments in this discourse serves to protect her by enabling her to manage feelings of not being ‘good enough’.
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Fay, Susan D. "Relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Illness Perceptions among Individuals with Fibromyalgia." ScholarWorks, 2015. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/213.
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Relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Illness Perceptions among Individuals with Fibromyalgia
by
Susan D. Fay
MS, Drexel University, 1994
BS, Metropolitan State University of Denver, 1983
Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
Psychology
Walden University
February 2015
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), including abuse and neglect, are a significant social health problem. Exposure to ACEs can place a child at a high risk for developing different diseases or illnesses in adulthood, including fibromyalgia. The purpose of this study was to determine if exposure to ACEs, moderated by perceived social support and/or social undermining, would result in more negative illness perceptions of personal control and/or treatment control. A survey research design was used in this quantitative study. Purposive convenience sampling methods were used to solicit 231 participants to complete an online survey. Moderated multiple regression analysis was used to assess the moderating roles of perceived social support and social undermining on the relationship between ACEs with personal control and treatment control facets of illness perceptions among individuals with fibromyalgia. Developmental traumatology, allostatic load, social support, social undermining, and illness perceptions served as the theoretical and empirical foundation for this study. Social undermining was found to be a significant moderator of the relationship between sexual abuse, perceived social support, and personal control perceptions, F(7, 174) = 1.28, p <.001, but only when levels of social undermining were moderate to high. The relationship was not significant for treatment control perceptions as the criterion variable, or for physical or emotional abuse as predictor variables. Positive social change implications include an expanded knowledge of important social and psychological factors that influence the health of fibromyalgia patients, especially those exposed to sexual abuse. Such information can assist health care providers develop more effective therapies, treatments, and screening protocols.
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Max, Alyssa. "The Experiences of Individuals with Psychological Disabilities in Attending Counselling: A Phenomenological Investigation." Thesis, Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10393/37047.
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The topic of disability within counselling is one that has received relatively little attention, despite counselling’s focus on multicultural competencies. Some scholars argue that mental illness can be conceptualized as a disability, and that viewing it as such can provide important insight and empowerment to individuals dealing with these issues. In particular, exploring mental illness as psychological disability can provide a framework for understanding the impacts of both internal and external experiences of disability on the individual. This research draws on critical disability studies theory to frame psychological disability within a social-relational model, examining the
potential impact of ableism and sanism on counselling clients with psychological disabilities. Three participants were interviewed using a semi-structured protocol to explore their experiences with counselling and psychological disability. Using interpretive phenomenological analysis, six main themes emerged: Embodied Difference, Meaning and Disability, Intersections of Identity, Emotional Labour, Language, and The Therapeutic Alliance. Implications for research, training,
and practice include further exploration of intersectional identities such as gender and physical disability, and incorporating an understanding of the psycho-emotional dimensions of disability, including emotional labour, into counsellor education and practice.
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Harstone, Andrea Nancy. "Experiences of adult offspring of parents with a mental illness : putting together the pieces and making meaning of experiences." Thesis, University of British Columbia, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/28598.
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According to a 2009 Canadian national health survey approximately 12% of children under the age of 12 live in a household were the survey respondent reported one or more mood, anxiety or substance use disorder (Bassani, Padoin, Philipp & Veldhiuzen, 2009). In fact, one out of every five individuals will experience a mental illness during their lifetime. It is widely accepted that people who experience mental illness parent at the same rate as the general population. Numerous studies have explored the topic of children of parents with a mental illness. Early research focused on understanding the adverse effects on children and specifically on identifying risk for childhood psychopathy. More recently researchers have begun to explore the positive aspects of growing up with parental mental illness in light of children who are seen as demonstrating considerable resiliency. Strength-based aspects to the experiences of growing up as a child of parental mental illness have been included in some studies.
The goal of this exploratory qualitative study was to explore the experiences of adults, who as children, grew up with a mentally ill mother and/or father. The method used included recruiting study participants using purposive sampling. The data collection and analysis was informed by grounded theory including a constant comparison of interview data and data analysis. Findings in this study supported previous research related to growing up with parental mental illness. Experiences of study participants were also similar to findings in existing research. Unique findings that would be worthy of further exploration included experiences of growing up in a two parent family with a father with a mental illness. Significant challenges with transitioning from adolescence to young adulthood were found across many of the interviews. The process of making meaning of experiences growing up in a family with parental mental illness as study participants experience their own significant life events was also found. These findings can inform policy and practice working with individuals and families who experience parental mental illness.
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Woodgate, Roberta. "Symptom experiences in the illness trajectory of children with cancer and their families." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 2001. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk3/ftp05/NQ62677.pdf.
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Forsberg, Anette. "Guillain-Barré syndrome: disability, quality of life, illness experiences and use of healthcare /." Stockholm, 2006. http://diss.kib.ki.se/2006/91-7140-838-X/.
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Guell, Cornelia. "Tactics of diabetes control : Turkish immigrant experiences with chronic illness in Berlin, Germany." Thesis, University of Edinburgh, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/1842/4293.
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This thesis explores Turkish migrants’ practices of diabetes care in Germany. Health statistics frequently identify minority groups as vulnerable to chronic illness and Turkish-origin Germans are said to be more likely to suffer from type 2 diabetes than Germans or Turks in Turkey. Anthropological studies on marginal population groups with diabetes explore experiences of social suffering and inequality that influence such high illness prevalence, or investigate how conflictual lay beliefs and medical encounters affect illness care. Those studies that analyse active diabetes patient and healthcare practices concentrate on the majority population. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork in Berlin from September 2006 to September 2007, this thesis examines how Turkish Berliners actively engage in diabetes care, and thus joins two themes seldom connected: illness practices and marginality. Initial interviews with healthcare professionals alluded to a Turkish migrant patient group living in deprivation and immobilised by high illiteracy rates, lacking language skills and health knowledge. Despite such experience of marginality, ethnographic exploration revealed that informal diabetes care, for example through a Turkishlanguage self-help group, is nonetheless individually and collectively negotiated where formal care is inadequate. On the one hand, the thesis investigates practices of diabetes control in learning, monitoring and manoeuvring diabetes. Rather than representing the common image of the inert, disadvantaged migrant patient, Turkish Berliners of the self-help group engage in deliberate “tactics of diabetes control” to make their chronic illness experience habitable. On the other hand, the thesis explores how “diabetes among Turkish-origin Berliners” can be a form of sociality, political activism and economic enterprise that involves many social actors not only patients and their healthcare professionals, in order to fill a provision gap.
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Badenhorst, Daniella. "Experiences of adolescents living with a diagnosed chronic, auto-immune illness / D. Badenhorst." Thesis, North-West University, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10394/8777.
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The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the experiences of adolescents living with a diagnosed chronic auto-immune Illness (CAI) due to the fact that there is a wider increase in the prevalence and incidence of auto-immune illnesses among adolescents. The researcher applied one primary scientific paradigm and two theories in this study, namely the Gestalt paradigm, Field theory and Erikson’s Theory of Adolescent Development, pertaining to adolescents living with a CAI. A qualitative, explorative and descriptive case study approach was followed. Purposive sampling was used to select six adolescents with a diagnosed CAI. Data was collected through individual semi-structured interviews and observations. Qualitative data analysis using Creswell’s “data analysis spiral” was used to analyse data and identify themes. It was clear that the adolescents” environments, as well as their intra- and interpersonal resources and outlook on life have an influence on the way they experience their illness. They experienced a continuum of feelings which ranged from support and encouragement from family and community members, to a lack of understanding from community members, and ridicule and isolation by peers. Sharing success stories and exploring a multidisciplinary, more holistic treatment plan that focuses on mind, body and soul, may benefit adolescents living with a CAI.Thesis (MA (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013
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Olson, Paul O. "Experiences of mental illness, treatment and recovery in schizophrenia : an existential-phenomenological exploration." Thesis, Middlesex University, 2016. http://eprints.mdx.ac.uk/21226/.
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This study explores in depth the narratives and experience of recovery from a convenience sample of seven participants with a schizophrenia diagnosis, but now remitted (Andreasen et al, 2005). Three lifeworlds (phases) emerged using hermeneutic phenomenology: (A) Losing existential grounding; (B) Being-within-the-system (i.e. hospitalised); and (C) Outside schizophrenia. Outside has a double meaning as it both emerges from the narratives and also is an important base for existential exploration: what else needs to happen except psychiatry? Each lifeworld had a different meaning and different behaviours connected to it. Two necessary transitions were identified: First, accepting help; and second, an existential construction or re- construction depending on where in your life course you become affected. Psychotherapy was useful, but not necessary for remission and recovery.
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Loucaides, Andrea M. "Anticipatory Mourning: Investigating Children and Youth's Self-Reported Experiences with Life-Limiting Illness." University of Akron / OhioLINK, 2010. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1280087410.
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Ikegami, Makoto. "Social Workers' Experiences With Deaf and Hard of Hearing People With Mental Illness." ScholarWorks, 2019. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/6906.
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The social work practice problem for this study was a lack of knowledge about social workers' experiences of working with deaf and hard of hearing people with mental illness. This study was needed to fill a practice gap by increasing an understanding of the experiences of social workers to inform best practices and address the needs of deaf and hard of hearing population through culturally and linguistically competent mental health services. The research questions focused on the experiences and challenges of social workers working with deaf and hard of hearing people and best practices identified by these social workers. Ecological systems theory was used to guide this study. Data were collected from a focus group comprising 9 social workers working with deaf and hard of hearing people with mental illness at a healthcare provider on the east coast of the United States that offered culturally and linguistically therapeutic services. Themes identified through thematic analysis of the data were cultural competence, empowerment and advocacy, professional education, and leadership to advance cultural competence. The findings of this study may be used to help healthcare providers identify key components of program design and service delivery that support culturally and linguistically competent mental health services for the population. This knowledge may also be used by social work practitioners and administrators to bring about positive social change by enhancing social work practice related to deaf and hard of hearing clients with mental illness, improving mental health outcomes, and supporting recognition of the importance of culturally and linguistically competent mental health services.
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Way, Jennifer. "Lived Experiences of Caregivers for Individuals with Serious Mental Illness in Rural Communities." ScholarWorks, 2019. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/7772.
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More than ten million American adults live with a serious mental illness (SMI). Given the deinstitutionalization of psychiatric facilities, caregivers and family members are often needed to care for these individuals. Due to SMI individuals’ extensive needs, caregivers frequently face unique challenges and experiences. Although research has been conducted on caring for individuals with SMI, less information exists about the experiences of rural caregivers of SMI individuals. The purpose of this study was to fill this gap in research by exploring the lived experiences of caregivers of SMI individuals in rural areas with the intention of understanding this population’s unique needs. The research questions focused on the experiences and stressors of caregivers of SMI individuals in a rural community. The frameworks were critical theory and Bowen’s family systems theory. A qualitative phenomenological design study was used employing semi-structured interviews with 4 participants who are caregivers of SMI individuals in a rural New York area. Data from the interviews were coded and analyzed using thematic analysis. Four themes emerged: impact on relationships, thoughts and feelings, impact on caregivers’ well-being, and rural mental health in this area. The potential impact for social change includes the dissemination of information to rural clinicians to assist caregivers with needed support and offer a framework for future curricula.
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Papada, Peggy. "Understanding women's experiences of psychotic phenomena." Thesis, Canterbury Christ Church University, 2013. http://create.canterbury.ac.uk/12502/.
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Psychotic phenomena such as delusions have recently been understood as meaningful within the context of a person’s life while recent models of psychosis implicate psychosocial influences in its aetiology. Research on women with such experiences has been limited despite recognition of their specific needs and vulnerabilities due to the nature of their lives. This study aimed to examine the processes influencing women’s understandings of their delusional beliefs in the context of their lives. It used a social constructionist version of grounded theory to conceptualize the process of women’s understandings. Ten women who had experienced delusions were interviewed. Grounded theory analysis revealed four main processes: women’s acquisition of knowledge about themselves; significant life experiences; how women experience their delusions; and the process of emerging from the delusional world. According to the constructed theory, the core process of understanding is conceptualized as residing in the space between private experience and the social world. It is mediated by the relationship women have to knowledge about the self, which in turn is mediated by the responses of others. Delusions are understood as responses to life experiences and are therefore meaningful containers of truth. Implications for clinical practice, limitations and suggestions for further research are discussed
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Airey, Laura. "Locating health and illness : a study of women's experiences in two contrasting Edinburgh neighbourhoods." Thesis, University of Edinburgh, 2003. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.534819.
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Randhawa, Kirat. "Illness and healthcare experiences of recent low-income international migrants in a UK city." Thesis, University of Sussex, 2014. http://sro.sussex.ac.uk/id/eprint/51574/.
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Multiple factors account for inequality in health outcomes and in access to healthcare in the UK, including ethnicity and length of residence in the country. This thesis explores the subjective experiences of a group of recent low-income international migrants who live in Brighton and Hove and have used local health services to seek care for a range of illnesses and conditions. The project was formulated in collaboration with Brighton and Hove City Council and the then NHS Brighton and Hove (now Brighton and Hove Clinical Commissioning Group), using local professional knowledge and experience to recruit participants and collect narratives from a ‘hard to reach' social group. The theoretical background of this thesis draws on ‘lived' experience in the context of illness. Analysis of qualitative interviews, using narrative typologies derived from the work of Frank (1991), revealed both the commonalities across and the specificities of illness experiences, and highlighted a multi-factorial web of bio-psychosocial and economic factors at play. The interviews overwhelmingly fitted with a chronic, ‘chaos' typology, in which diagnoses were commonly contested. The particularities of recent migrant status impacted upon participants' illness experiences and healthcare use. Migrants made comparisons with health systems in their countries of origin and managed healthcare through social networks. The findings from the data analysis around patient experience showed that the overall experience was negative, characterised by disappointment, with communication and access problems as recurrent themes. These outcomes may be explained by both direct and indirect discrimination. Direct discrimination and stigma were perceived by many participants in the attitudes and practices of staff, which some participants linked to their own ethnicity, immigration status and faith. From this study it is possible to hypothesise that healthcare practices and policy may give rise to some of the perceptions of discrimination.
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Verwey, Lucy. "An exploration of Muslims' perceptions and experiences of mental health, illness and treatment services." Thesis, Australian Catholic University, 2018. https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/download/8f17fccc15bc05764ed2961ec8e142108be0ec2962e063f14d2ba148ea7c6288/1903109/VERWEY_2018_An%20exploration_of_Muslims_perceptions.pdf.
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This research involves an exploration of Muslims’ attitudes, perceptions and experiences of mental health and accessing professional treatment services. It utilised a mixed-methods design consisting of in-depth interviews and a survey. The face-to-face interviews were conducted with practising Muslims in Australia (n = 20), Indonesia (n = 8) and Jordan (n= 6). The online survey was based on the main themes which emerged from the interviews and was completed by Australian Muslim participants (N = 200). Grounded theory was employed as the underlying approach for the qualitative data collection and analysis. The results revealed three main findings. First, that Islam was central to the participants’ lives functioning as a sacred lens and sacred compass. The lens and compass provided a way for them to connect with Islamic beliefs, values and perspectives each day. This was relevant to their mental health, approaches to coping, and perspectives of effective treatment. Second, that the participants adopted distinct help seeking pathways which involved a range of religious and cultural influences. Third, the participants highlighted a need for religiously and culturally appropriate treatment for Muslim clients. In view of providing religiously and culturally appropriate treatment, key areas were identified in order to engage Muslim clients. This consisted of an underpinning knowledge of basic beliefs and practices, understanding relevant religious coping responses, and understanding the role of culture, community and family. The findings highlighted the importance of practitioners building a therapeutic relationship through trust and respect with their Muslim clients. Overall, the findings draw attention to the need for theorists, researchers and clinicians to incorporate religious perspectives of mental health and its treatment, particularly when working with Muslim clients.
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Mehmedovic, Edina. "The Police Organizations Education, Knowledge and Experiences of Mental Illness: A Qualitative Interview Study." Thesis, Malmö universitet, Fakulteten för hälsa och samhälle (HS), 2019. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:mau:diva-24266.
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This study illustrates the experiences and knowledge on mental illness within the police organization. The main queries are how the police education prepare the police for encounters with mentally ill individuals, what police officers experience and what is done within the department in relation to strengthen knowledge and competence on mental illness.Nine interviews were conducted with police students, police officers and a business developer and the findings are that the overall perception of the police programme is that it provides future police officers with a basic understanding about mental illness. However, experienced police officers feel that they need more knowledge about mental illness to feel more secure and comfortable in these meetings. Furthermore, the police department works with the governmental assignation by preparing study material for different groups to strengthen their knowledge and competence on mental illness. The aim is to provide the police with knowledge about legal frames, recognition of mental states/disorders, how to respond to mentally ill individuals and what agencies are available to assist in the community. The limitation of the study was the relatively small sample considering that data was collected from different parts of the organization. However, this study has demonstrated an overview of the whole organization and their work connected to mental illness. The conclusion of this study is that the police department in Sweden has realized the knowledge gap and developed an educational plan to resolve the missing puzzle pieces.
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Gumber, Shinakee. "Living in the Community with Serious Mental Illness: Community Integration Experiences of Clubhouse Members." Bowling Green State University / OhioLINK, 2011. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1319766795.
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Flannigan, Raylene. "Experiences of having an adult sibling with a mental illness: an interpretative phenomenological analysis." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/6309.
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Mental illness has a significant impact on the life of an individual, however not only on the individual but on the family as well. A considerable amount of research has been carried out regarding the experiences of family members internationally. However, in South Africa (SA) there is inadequate information regarding the experiences of families, especially adult siblings, of individuals with a mental illness. Specifically, there is a lack of research investigating individuals’ perceptions of their brother or sister’s mental illness as well as how this affects the sibling relationship. It is for this reason that the current study aimed at exploring the lived experiences of ‘black1’ isiXhosa speaking individuals who have a sibling with a mental illness. The study employed Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) as its qualitative approach. A sample of five participants between the ages of 20-50 years was selected through purposive and snowballing sampling techniques. Semi-structured interviews were utilised and were transcribed and analysed based on the IPA framework. The analysis of the participants’ transcripts provided three master themes, which are supported by subordinate themes. The master themes are: 1) experiencing the sibling as a burden post diagnosis, 2) positive experiences from the sibling’s mental illness, 3) participant’s experiences of their sibling’s treatment and the mental health care system. Participants experienced financial burden as well as the burden of caregiving as a result of their sibling’s mental illness; these are understood as being subjective and objective burdens. While no change was experienced within the sibling relationship, the siblings’ mental illness was experienced as affecting the sibling relationship due to the socioeconomic status of the participants and stigma. The findings support and expand on the growing knowledge of adult sibling relationships and mental illness.
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Leslie, Tremaine. "Mental Illness: The Unspoken Lived Experiences of Family Members of Incarcerated African American Males." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2019. https://dc.etsu.edu/secfr-conf/2019/schedule/25.
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The 2010 census indicated that African Americans constitute just over 13% of the United States population, but accounts for over 40% of the prison population (U.S. Department of Justice, 2013). African-Americans are imprisoned at a ratio of 5:1 times of their White counterparts (Simon, 2016). This massive incarceration has resulted in a higher incidence of mental health issues (Justice, 2014), of not just the incarcerated individuals, but also immediate family members. Studies have shown that children of incarcerated parents are at increased risk for both internalizing and externalizing behavior problems, cognitive delays and difficulties in school (Shafer, 2013). Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the lived experiences of family members of incarcerated African American males, facing mental illnesses.
The study will utilize Intersectionality and the Critical Race Theory as the theoretical frameworks, and will employ a phenomenological qualitative approach. Purposive sampling technique will be used to select participants in Northwest Arkansas.
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Swainston, Katherine. "Women's experiences of breast cancer : a longitudinal perspective." Thesis, Teesside University, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10149/301650.
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Utilising a hermeneutic phenomenological approach twenty women’s experiences of breast cancer were explored through semi-structured interviews at three time points during their healthcare trajectory from recent diagnosis to early follow-up. Phenomenological analysis guided by van Manen’s (1990) principles revealed numerous multifaceted themes some of which were time limited while others spanned the data collection period. Use was made of an adapted life grid approach in order to enhance the implicit meanings to be elicited through interpretation of text. Central themes depicting the medicalisation of breast cancer, perceptions and management of the body and participants’ emotional journey were uncovered. Breast cancer was found to represent a biographical disruption that had a long-term impact on a woman’s body, self, identity and sense of embodiment. Changes to the body, due to breast cancer treatment, and an altered way of being in the world, elicited disruption to the body-self relationship, a separation that was reinforced by the healthcare system. Participants were found to adopt a variety of coping strategies to manage ongoing change and the stress elicited by experiencing breast cancer as a chronic illness. Avoidance, information management, conscious passivity in treatment decision-making and positive cognitive restructuring are examples of such mechanisms. However, women’s experiences of each theme identified and the emergence and maintenance of these themes varied according to women’s biography, diagnosis and prescribed treatment regime, cancer schema, and social support. Accordingly, models of care must address women’s individual experiences and recognise their changing needs throughout the year post diagnosis.