Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing

Original Article

Psychosocial Adjustment of Low-Income Koreans with Cancer: Myungsun Yi, Eun Young Park, Dal Sook Kim, Young Sook Tae, Bok Yae Chung, Hyang Sook So; J Korean Acad Nurs 2011;41(2):225-235. Published online April 30, 2011; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2011.41.2.225

Purpose

To describe psychosocial adjustment of low-income Koreans who have cancer.

Methods

Data were collected during 2008 using individual in-depth interviews with 18 Korean people with cancer. The income status of the participants was low, 11 were recipients of the National Basic Livelihood Protection program. Mean age was 58.3 yr and 11 were female. Five participants had stomach cancer, five, colorectal cancer, and four, breast cancer. Data were analyzed using grounded theory methodology.

Results

The core category emerged as 'bearing up alone with double suffering'. 'Poverty and cancer: A double suffering' emerged as a causal condition. The adjustment process consisted of three stages: 'forming a treatment will to live' ,'practicing for the cure',and 'restructuring self and repaying favors'. Each stage indicated action-interaction strategies which were employed to bear up alone with double suffering during the illness process. Self-reflection, parental responsibility, and support from the public sector played important roles in overcoming the double suffering. Two types of consequences were identified: Transcended life and strained life suppressed by poverty and cancer.

Conclusion

The results provide insights into the psychosocial adjustment process for low income Korean with cancer and can be used in developing and implementing efficient home-care services for these people.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

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