Abstract
A range of literature has explored the experience of living with a long-term condition (LTC), and frequently treats such experiences and conditions as problematic. In contrast, other research has demonstrated that it may be possible to adapt and achieve well-being, even when living with such a condition. This tends to focus on meaning and the qualitative experience of living with an LTC, and offers alternative perspectives, often of the same or similar conditions. As a result of these conflicting views, this study chose to consider two conditions which, though they may lead to life-threatening illness on occasion, do not appear to impact significantly the lives of all those affected on a daily basis. The aim of this research was to explore and explain how people make sense of two long-term, potentially life-threatening health conditions, namely, thrombophilia and asthma. In doing so, it specifically considered the contribution made by information about the condition. A constructivist grounded theory approach was adopted; this enabled the generation of a theory regarding how people make sense of their LTC, whilst acknowledging the social circumstances in which this was situated. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 participants who had given consent to take part in the research. The findings demonstrate that participants undergo a two-stage process those who are knowledgeable about their condition, making informed decisions in relation to it, and accept their condition are able to live with it, whilst those who do not accept their condition do not fully adapt to it or integrate it into their lives.*gaining knowledge and living with a long-term condition. The theory based on these findings indicates that
Original language | English |
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Journal | International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-Being |
Volume | 11 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 16 Aug 2016 |
Bibliographical note
© 2016 J. K. Roddis et al. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), allowing third parties to copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format and to remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially, provided the original work is properly cited and states its license.Keywords
- Long-term condition
- asthma
- thrombophilia
- living with
- gaining knowledge
- patient perspective
- qualitative
- constructivist grounded theory
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Kathleen Galvin
- School of Education, Sport and Health - Professor of Nursing Practice
- Centre for Arts and Wellbeing
Person: Academic