Lost in an unknown terrain: a phenomenological contribution to the understanding of existential concerns as experienced by young women in Sweden

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study is to describe young women's (16-25 years old) experiences of living with existential concerns for which they have sought support from healthcare professionals, teachers, family, or friends, among others. Methods: This phenomenological study is based on a reflective lifeworld research (RLR) approach. Nine young women were interviewed about their experience of living with existential concerns. Results: The results show the essential meaning of the phenomenon of "existential concerns" that can be described as living a life that is marked in a profound way by a feeling of being lost in an unknown terrain. To further understand the essential meaning, four constituents are described: the unpredictable body, longing for comprehension, playing a game, and longing to share one's vulnerability. Conclusions: Young women with existential concerns are vulnerable, as they are profoundly influenced by these concerns. They have to navigate through daily life while trying to fit in and to make their situation comprehensible. These young women have a longing to share their existential concerns with a trustworthy person, while at the same time they fear revealing their existential concerns and risking being rejected by others. A lifeworld-led, caring science approach, intertwined with the results of the present study, has the potential to direct caring practice.

Young men’s experiences of living with existential concerns: “living close to a bottomless darkness”

“…Furthermore, they suggest using phenomenologically based communication to elucidate a person’s own experience of ill-being. Lundvall et al ( 2019 ) describe the importance, when meeting young women with existential concerns in their lifeworld, of creating a caring relationship so that the young women feel safe and are willing to talk about their innermost thoughts. From the results of the present study we see the importance for healthcare professionals to be aware of dominant masculine ideals that young men live with, and that healthcare professionals must also be aware of their own potential prejudices when attempting to understand the needs of young men (Oute et al, 2018 ) seeking care for their existential concerns.…”

“…This concern might increases, during the period in life when young adults grow from being children to adults. Lundvall et al ( 2019 ) describe when the existential concerns grow unmanageable and impair the everyday lives of young women. Existential concerns may manifest themselves in the form of mental health issues.…”

Preliminary Efficacy of an Occupation-Oriented Purpose in Life Intervention After Breast Cancer

“…Group interventions such as the Compass Course have the potential to advance purpose in life for occupational therapy clients who have experienced health or life transitions that leave them adrift and disconnected from themselves (Bridges, 2004). Beyond the purpose disruption that can accompany sudden onset illness or disability such as stroke (Lewis, Brazeau, & Hill, 2020), purpose in life tends to decline as people age (Ryff & Keyes, 1995) and even young adults are at-risk for purpose-related existential distress as they figure out a path for their lives (Lundvall, Lindberg, Horberg, Carlsson, & Palmer, 2019;Lundvall, Horberg, Palmer, Carlsson, & Lindberg, 2020).…”

“…Group interventions such as the Compass Course have the potential to advance purpose in life for occupational therapy clients who have experienced health or life transitions that leave them adrift and disconnected from themselves (Bridges, 2004). Beyond the purpose disruption that can accompany sudden onset illness or disability such as stroke (Lewis, Brazeau, & Hill, 2020), purpose in life tends to decline as people age (Ryff & Keyes, 1995) and even young adults are at-risk for purpose-related existential distress as they figure out a path for their lives (Lundvall, Lindberg, Horberg, Carlsson, & Palmer, 2019; Lundvall, Horberg, Palmer, Carlsson, & Lindberg, 2020). Because purpose in life contributes to psychosocial adaptation for people with potentially disabling conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis (Verduin et al, 2008), depression (Blazek, Kazmierczak, & Besta, 2015), and spinal cord injury (Krause, Cao, & DiPiro, 2020), purpose renewal research should be expanded to include other diagnostic and demographic populations served by occupational therapists.…”

Finding an existential place to rest: enabling well-being in young adults

“…They can feel an intense longing to share their existential concerns with others whilst being afraid of being vulnerable through such sharing. While this longing indicates a willingness to feel harmony with oneself, it can feel unachievable, creating feelings of hopelessness and loneliness (Lundvall et al, 2020 , 2019 ).…”