Experiences of Ego Integrity Recovery in Elderly Cancer Patients: Grounded Theory Approach
10.4040/jkan.2019.49.3.349
- Author:
Han Gyo CHOI
1
;
Hye Ah YEOM
Author Information
1. College of Nursing, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea. yha@catholic.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
2019;49(3):349-360
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE:This study was conducted to derive a substantive theory on lived experiences of elderly cancer patients.
METHODS:The data were collected from February to March 2018 through in-depth personal interviews with 14 elderly cancer patients. The collected data were analyzed based on Corbin and Strauss's grounded theory.
RESULTS:The core category was “the journey to find balance in daily lives as a cancer patient by recovering disturbed ego integrity.†The core phenomenon was “shattered by suffering from cancer,†and the causal conditions were “physical change†and “limitations in daily life.†The contextual conditions were “decreased self-esteem,â€â€œfeelings of guilt toward the family,†and the sense of “economic burden.†The participants' action and interaction strategies were “maintaining or avoiding social relations,â€â€œseeking meaning of the illness,â€â€œfalling into despair,†and “strengthening the willingness to battle the cancer.†The intervening conditions were “support from health care providers and family,â€â€œdissatisfaction with health care providers,â€â€œspiritual help from religion,†and “the improvement or worsening of health conditions.†The consequences were “having a new insight for life,â€â€œliving positively along with cancer illness,†and “the loss of willingness to live.†A summary of the series of processes includes the “crisis stage,â€â€œreorganizing stage,†and the “ego integration stage.â€
CONCLUSION:This study explored the holistic process of ego integrity impairment and the recovery experience of elderly cancer patients. This study is expected to be used as a basis for the development of nursing interventions that can support patients when coping with all stages of their cancer illness trajectory.
