title: [Concept analysis of suffering].
abstract: Suffering is commonly encountered in nursing and is defined as an individual and subjective experience. It is a complex human response to which there are physical, psychological, social and spiritual aspects. Perception of suffering threatens self-integrity, and induces negative behaviors, such as personal changes in relation to value system, sense of reality, withdrawal, feelings of helplessness, and despair. A great deal of relevant literature explores the influence of suffering, but only a few articles analyze the concept of suffering. The purpose of this article, therefore, is to clarify the concept of suffering. In order to do this, we used the technique of concept analysis described by Chinn and Kramer (1995). It is hoped that the results of the study will enhance nurses' understanding of suffering and that its lessons may be adopted in clinical nursing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Shu Zen College of Medicine and Management, ROC.
authors.forename: Gin-Jen
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Hui-Ya
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Hsieh
authors.forename: Chi-Chun
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chin
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology