Personal strengths reported by people with chronic illness: A qualitative study

Abstract

BackgroundSelf‐management of chronic illness can be highly demanding and people need to mobilize their personal strengths to live well with their condition. More knowledge is needed about how people with chronic illness perceive and use their personal strengths as a basis for better integrating empowering person‐centred approaches into health care.ObjectiveTo explore what people with chronic illness describe as their strengths relevant to their health and well‐being.Setting and ParticipantsThirty‐nine participants (11 men) from 4 outpatient self‐management programmes were recruited to individual or group interviews. Participants included patients with chronic respiratory disease (n = 7), chronic pain (n = 18) and morbid obesity (n = 14). Interviews were analysed using content analysis.ResultsA number of personal strengths were reported and categorized into 3 domains: (i) Internal strengths, (ii) External strengths and (iii) Self‐management strategies. Internal strengths included being persistent, having a positive outlook, being kind and caring, experiencing positive emotions, being kind towards oneself, reconciling oneself with the situation, having courage and having knowledge and insight. External strengths included support from family, friends, peers and health‐care providers. Self‐management strategies included being active, planning and prioritizing, reducing stress, goal setting and seeking knowledge and help.Discussion and ConclusionThe study provides insights into personal strengths as reported by people with chronic illness. The results complement prior findings on strengths in people with health challenges and can aid in incorporating person‐centred approaches into health care.

The impact of living with long‐term conditions in young adulthood on mental health and identity: What can help?

“…It has been postulated that this added challenge to identity reconstruction exacerbates the negative mental health implications from LTCs for young adults. 23,39. The present findings fit well with the concept of biographical disruption 28 to the value of positive thinking (eg Refs 8,11,17,23,26 ).…”

“…This also expands on previous research which has identified reaching acceptance of new/altered identities as important for mental health, and was also seen as a long and difficult process that required time and reflection (eg Refs). The other suggestions made by participants in the present study are less present in the existing literature, although some reference has previously been made to the value of positive thinking (eg Refs).…”

“…Acceptance has been described as a gradual and difficult on-going process requiring time and reflection, and has been emphasized as important for living well with LTCs. 11,[14][15][16][17] Acceptance has also been found to be associated with better emotional functioning amongst young adults specifically. 18,19…”

“…Across studies with individuals of varying ages, acceptance has been described as being at peace with the limitations and losses associated with the condition, acceptance of the condition as part of your identity, and being able to appreciate and recognize the life lessons learnt. Acceptance has been described as a gradual and difficult on‐going process requiring time and reflection, and has been emphasized as important for living well with LTCs . Acceptance has also been found to be associated with better emotional functioning amongst young adults specifically …”

Aspects of well-being when struggling with obesity

“…Studies have shown that when dedicated to health and well-being, people with obesity develop multifaceted coping mechanisms for dealing with stigma and misunderstanding from society (Bombak, 2015;Puhl & Brownell, 2003). Hence, a holistic approach is considered to optimize health and well-being among people with obesity by turning attention towards their own resources to strengthen empowerment and well-being (Borge, Christiansen, & Fagermoen, 2012;Brown & Wimpenny, 2011;Knutsen, 2012: Kristjansdottir, Stenberg, Mirkovic, Krogseth, Ljoså, Stange & Ruland, 2018.…”