title: Self-Reorientation Following Colorectal Cancer Treatment - A Grounded Theory Study.
abstract: After colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment, people reorganize life in ways that are consistent with their understanding of the illness and their expectations for recovery. Incapacities and abilities that have been lost can initiate a need to reorient the self. To the best of our knowledge, no studies have explicitly focused on the concept of self-reorientation after CRC treatment. The aim of the present study was therefore to explore self-reorientation in the early recovery phase after CRC surgery. Grounded theory analysis was undertaken, using the method presented by Charmaz. The present results explained self-reorientation as the individual attempting to achieve congruence in self-perception. A congruent self-perception meant bringing together the perceived self and the self that was mirrored in the near environs. The results showed that societal beliefs and personal explanations are essential elements of self-reorientation, and that it is therefore important to make them visible.
authors: Institute of Health and Care Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden ; Department of Nursing, Health and Culture, University West, Trollhättan, Sweden.
authors: Ann-Caroline B
authors: AC
authors: Johansson
authors: Department of Care Science, Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden.
authors: Malin
authors: M
authors: Axelsson
authors: Department of Nursing, Health and Culture, University West, Trollhättan, Sweden.
authors: Ina
authors: I
authors: Berndtsson
authors: Institute of Health and Care Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden ; Department of Nursing, Health and Culture, University West, Trollhättan, Sweden.
authors: Eva
authors: E
authors: Brink
keywords: Colorectal cancer; illness perception; recovery; self-perception; self-regulation; self-reorientation