Abstract
We explored the concept of living positively with chronic pain using a mixedmethods design that relied primarily on hermeneutic phenomenology. Ten women described their experiences of developing a positive identity while contending with chronic pain. Throughout their journeys, the women interviewed experienced a number of key themes including: the sense of being separate from their bodies, the failure of the biomedical system, and the creation of support networks. Three major categories emerged from the data: (a) Before Diagnosis, (b) Redefinition of Self, and (c) Moving Forward. The implications for healthcare providers and the limitations of this study are discussed.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Qualitative Report |
Volume | 18 |
Issue number | 15 |
Publication status | Published - Apr. 2013 |
Keywords
- Chronic pain
- Coping
- Hermeneutic phenomenology
- Identity
- Women's health