Abstract

• Purpose
  The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of gastric cancer couples in Korea and to generate a substantive theory integrating the experiences of gastric cancer survivors and their spouses as a whole. The specific aims of this study were to explore major problems gastric cancer couples faced and how they resolved these problems, focusing on inter-relational dynamics within the couples and on similarities and differences between the couples.
• Methods
  This was a secondary analysis study using grounded theory techniques. The study used the data of 11 married couples which was collected from in-depth interviews from two primary studies. The unit of analysis was dyads of gastric cancer survivors and their spouses.
• Results
  The basic social psychological process that emerged from the analysis was “taking charge of their health.” Major categories involved in this process were identified as 1) adjusting to new diets, 2) reinforcing physical strength, 3) seeking information, 4) strengthening Ki, 5) lowering life-expectations, and 6) going their separate ways. These six categories represent major strategies in overcoming critical problems that occurred in day-to-day experiences. In terms of the process, the first five categories characterize the earlier stage of the process of “taking charge of their health,” while “going their separate ways” indicates the later stage and also the beginning of their separate ways: “pursuing spiritual life” for the survivors, and “preparing for the future” for the spouses.
• Conclusions
  The results of this study will help design family care for the people with gastric cancer by providing in-depth understanding and insight on the lives of gastric cancer couples.
• Keywords: Cancer Nursing; Family Nursing; Grounded Theory; Psychosocial Nursing

Figure & Data

REFERENCES

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by  

• Experiences of informal caregivers supporting individuals with upper gastrointestinal cancers: a systematic review
  Melinda Furtado, Dawn Davis, Jenny M. Groarke, Lisa Graham-Wisener
  BMC Health Services Research.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Patient, nursing and medical staff experiences and perceptions of the care of people with palliative esophagogastric cancer: a systematic review of the qualitative evidence
  Alison Cowley, Catrin Evans, Fiona Bath-Hextall, Joanne Cooper
  JBI Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports.2016; 14(10): 134.     CrossRef
• A meta-analysis of qualitative studies on living with oesophageal and clinically similar forms of cancer, seen from the perspective of patients and family members
  Sissel Andreassen, Ingrid Randers, Kerstin Ternulf Nyhlin, Anne-Cathrine Mattiasson
  International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being.2007; 2(2): 114.     CrossRef