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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
Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing 2011;41(2):225-235.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2011.41.2.225
Published online: April 30, 2011

1Professor, College of Nursing, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.

2Assistant Professor, Nursing Science Department, Gachon University, Incheon, Korea.

3Professor, School of Nursing, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Korea.

4Professor, College of Nursing, Kosin University, Busan, Korea.

5Professor, College of Nursing, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea.

6Professor, College of Nursing, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Korea.

Address reprint requests to: Park, Eun Young. Nursing Science Department, Gachon University, 534-2 Yeonsu 3-dong, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 406-799, Korea. Tel: +82-32-820-4207, Fax: +82-32-820-4201, parkeunyoung@gachon.ac,kr
• Received: August 21, 2010   • Accepted: April 15, 2011

© 2011 Korean Society of Nursing Science

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  • 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.
  • Keywords: Poverty; Neoplasms; Social adjustment; Psychosocial aspect; Qualitative research
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Figure 1
Process of psychosocial adjustment in low-income Koreans with cancer.
jkan-41-225-g001.jpg
Table 1
Relationships among Categories using Paradigm Model
jkan-41-225-i001.jpg

Figure & Data

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        Psychosocial Adjustment of Low-Income Koreans with Cancer
        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
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      Psychosocial Adjustment of Low-Income Koreans with Cancer
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      Figure 1 Process of psychosocial adjustment in low-income Koreans with cancer.

      Figure 1

      Psychosocial Adjustment of Low-Income Koreans with Cancer

      Relationships among Categories using Paradigm Model
      Table 1 Relationships among Categories using Paradigm Model

      Table 1

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