Coping with chronic illness: a qualitative study of coping with postpolio syndrome.
The study describes how 24 people with postpolio syndrome (PPS) cope with their problems. Two qualitative interviews were conducted, 6 weeks apart. The interviews were analysed inductively. It was found that the participants experienced many types of illness-related problems in their everyday lives. Furthermore, they describe the progressive deterioration in terms of a general weakness, fatigue and pain--these adding to the emotional stress. A variety of coping strategies are employed and the result of the analysis shows it to be impossible to carry out a clearly differentiated grouping into problem-focused and emotion-focused. By and large the participants have learnt to live with the changes and feel that they have 'a good life in spite of everything'.
Hansson
B
B
Department of Caring Sciences, University of Orebro, Sweden.
Ahlström
G
G
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D004644:Emotions; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D016262:Postpoliomyelitis Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D012919:Social Behavior; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology