Sources of ‘relational homes’: A qualitative study of cancer survivors’ perception of emotional support

TY - JOUR

T1 - Sources of ‘relational homes’

T2 - A qualitative study of cancer survivors’ perception of emotional support

AU - Iversen, Hans Raun

AU - Assing Hvidt, Elisabeth

AU - Hansen, H.P.

PY - 2013

Y1 - 2013

N2 - The aim of this article is to shed light on the different ways in which a group of Danish cancer survivors fulfil their need of emotional support. The study comprised participant observation at a Danish cancer rehabilitation centre, individual semi-structured interviews and focus group interviews with course participants. The analytical process combined the inductive approach of interpretative phenomenological analysis with a deductive theoretical strategy. Key concepts from Robert D. Stolorow's existential-phenomenological trauma theory were used as interpretative framework. Findings suggest that cancer survivors’ perception of emotional support is captured by the theoretical concept a “relational home,” understood here as a supportive and caring environment. A relational home may include different dimensions in various situations and contexts, including an existential and metaphysical dimension in which God/a higher power may provide emotional support similar to that obtained in human relationships.

AB - The aim of this article is to shed light on the different ways in which a group of Danish cancer survivors fulfil their need of emotional support. The study comprised participant observation at a Danish cancer rehabilitation centre, individual semi-structured interviews and focus group interviews with course participants. The analytical process combined the inductive approach of interpretative phenomenological analysis with a deductive theoretical strategy. Key concepts from Robert D. Stolorow's existential-phenomenological trauma theory were used as interpretative framework. Findings suggest that cancer survivors’ perception of emotional support is captured by the theoretical concept a “relational home,” understood here as a supportive and caring environment. A relational home may include different dimensions in various situations and contexts, including an existential and metaphysical dimension in which God/a higher power may provide emotional support similar to that obtained in human relationships.

U2 - 10.1080/13674676.2012.708652

DO - 10.1080/13674676.2012.708652

M3 - Journal article

SN - 1367-4676

VL - 16(6)

SP - 617

EP - 632

JO - Mental Health, Religion and Culture

JF - Mental Health, Religion and Culture

ER -