Successful Aging with Sickle Cell Disease: Using Qualitative Methods to Inform Theory.
Little is known about the lives of adults with sickle cell disease (SCD). This article reports findings from a qualitative pilot study, which used life review as a method to explore influences on health outcomes among middle-aged and older adults with SCD, Six females with SCD, recruited from two urban sickle cell clinics in the U.S., engaged in semi-structured, in-depth life review interviews. MaxQDA2 software was used for qualitative data coding and analysis. Three major themes were identified: vulnerability factors, self-care management resources, and health outcomes. These themes are consistent with the Theory of Self-Care Management for Sickle Cell Disease. Identifying vulnerability factors, self-care management resources, and health outcomes in adults with SCD may aid in developing theory-based interventions to meet health care needs of younger individuals with SCD. The life review process is a useful means to gain insight into successful aging with SCD and other chronic illnesses.
Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Nursing, 4008 Carrington Hall, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7460. She can be contacted at coretta.jenerette@unc.edu.
Coretta M
CM
Jenerette
Gloria
G
Lauderdale