title: Social adaptation following intestinal stoma formation in people living at home: a longitudinal phenomenological study.
abstract: Intestinal stoma formation profoundly changes the relationship between a person and their social world. The aim of this study was to understand the experience of living with a new stoma; this paper explores the theme "disrupted social world," highlighting how stoma-forming surgery impacts on individuals' abilities to participate and interact socially over time.
  
  
  
  A longitudinal phenomenological approach. Twelve participants with a new stoma were recruited using purposeful sampling. Data were collected at three, nine and 15 months following surgery through in-depth, unstructured interviews and analysed using a bespoke iterative framework.
  
  
  
  Three categories were identified: participation in the social environment; interpersonal relationships: changes and challenges; and setting and achieving goals.
  
  
  
  Stoma-forming surgery changes the ways people relate to their social environment and connect with others, creating self-consciousness and impeding social confidence and autonomy. Understanding the social implications of stoma-forming surgery can help clinicians to provide responsive and appropriate support to facilitate social rehabilitation. Implications for Rehabilitation Assisting people with a stoma to develop competent stoma self-care skills will promote social adaptation and self-acceptance. Clinicians should promote access to others with a stoma, an important source of support for many people adjusting to a new stoma. Graded exposure to social participation can engender feelings of control and confidence for people with a stoma. Clinicians can help individuals with a stoma to set realistic goals for their recovery, while encouraging a range of positive coping strategies.
authors.affiliation: a School of Health Sciences , University of East Anglia , Norwich , UK.
authors.forename: Gabrielle
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Thorpe
authors.affiliation: a School of Health Sciences , University of East Anglia , Norwich , UK.
authors.forename: Maggie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McArthur
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D003125:Colostomy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007081:Ileostomy; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012648:Self Care; D012917:Social Adjustment; D058992:Social Participation; D054047:Surgical Stomas
keywords: Colorectal surgery; UK; adjustment; ostomy; social adaptation