title: The dark corner of the heart - understanding and embracing suffering as portrayed by adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Suffering profoundly touches the human being's inner existence. The different faces of suffering may yet be unknown, and therefore, it is important to further explore suffering in order to reach a new and deeper understanding of it and its alleviation.
  The aim of this study was to expand the understanding of suffering. The research questions are what is suffering as described by the human beings themselves and what initiates a movement in suffering towards its alleviation?
  
  
  METHODS
  The study uses a hermeneutical approach and hermeneutical reading. The material consists of interviews with adults who had lived through suffering and regained health.
  
  
  METHODS
  The data storage, study participation and handling of data for research purposes were approved by the participants when they provided their informed consent.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Suffering is portrayed as a deep darkness. The suffering human being is filled with hopelessness and meaninglessness and feels homeless in life. There is often a hidden inner longing in the midst of suffering that may be uncovered.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Embracing the dark corner of the heart, the suffering, provides the keys for initiating a movement towards its alleviation and implications for how to encounter a suffering human being, for example within different caring contexts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Caring Sciences, Faculty of Education and Welfare Studies, Åbo Akademi University, Vaasa, Finland.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hemberg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017028:Caregivers; D066297:Hermeneutics; D006801:Humans; D013315:Stress, Psychological
keywords: health; hermeneutical reading; life; source of strength; strength; suffering; well-being