Use of the model of Inner Strength for analysing reflective interviews in a group of healthy middle-aged adults

Abstract

Objective: Inner Strength has been described as a human resource that promotes well-being linked to health. The aim of this study was to explore how Inner Strength and its four dimensions are manifested in interviews in a group of middle-aged healthy women and men. Methods: Retrospective reflective interviews with middle-aged healthy women (n = 5) and men (n = 4) selected from a population study were content analysed deductively. Results: The following themes and their constituents were found in the respective dimensions of the Model of Inner Strength. Firmness: having a drive to act, being purposeful, having trust in one’s competence, and having a positive view of life. Connectedness: being in community, receiving and giving support, and, receiving and giving care. Creativity: changing unsatisfactory life situations, seeing new opportunities, and realizing dreams. Stretchability: balancing between options, and extending oneself. Conclusions: Expressions that were interpreted as belonging to Inner Strength could be referred the different dimensions of Inner Strength. The Model of Inner Strength is suitable for analysing Inner Strength among middle-aged men and women. The findings indicate that Inner Strength can be identified in human beings’ narratives if asked for.

Battling extraordinary situations and conflicting emotions—A qualitative study of being a newly graduated Registered Nurse in the emergency department during the COVID‐19 pandemic

“…Nurses' descriptions connect to Lundman et al ( 2019 ) about the characteristics of inner strength. The dedication to part take in frontline nursing care during the pandemic can be understood as firmness involving existential courage and belief in one’s own ability to cope with stressful situations.…”

“…Possessing the inner strength to cope with caregiving is described as a human resource that promotes well‐being connected to health involving firmness with a drive to act and trust in one’s competence, connectedness in the meaning to be in a community receiving and giving care. Furthermore, it involves creativity and stretchability to balance between options and extend oneself (Lundman et al, 2019 ). Adding a disaster nursing perspective means NGRNs during the COVID‐19 pandemic have had to cross personal, professional and environmental boundaries.…”

“…internal and external support by intertwining psychological and work life interventions together with increased work life conditions to strengthen nurses' resilience and endurance during the pandemic. Dahlberg and Segesten (2010) explain this further from a lifeworld perspective and highlight the importance of the individual being part of a context and having one's place in the world affirmed in relation to experience health.Nurses' descriptions connect toLundman et al (2019) about the characteristics of inner strength. The dedication to part take in frontline nursing care during the pandemic can be understood as firmness involving existential courage and belief in one's own ability to cope with stressful situations.…”

Balance in life as a prerequisite for community-dwelling older adults’ sense of health and well-being after retirement: an interview-based study

“…The older adults also emphasized the importance of maintaining relationships that made them feel well and avoiding relationships that they described as unhealthy. Such efforts to stay in contact with family members and friends can, according to Lundman et al (Lundman et al, 2019 ), be regarded as an inner strength. Connectedness is one of four interacting cornerstones in the theoretical model by Lundman et al (Lundman et al, 2010 ), described as the ability to make and keep friends, communicate well, and find meaning through involvement with other people, things, and one’s surroundings.…”

Relationships among inner strength, health and function, well-being, and negative life events in old people: a longitudinal study

“…The European group has described inner strength as being composed of the four interrelated dimensions of firmness, connectedness, creativity, and flexibility. In a recent study, the term stretchability was used instead of flexibility (Lundman et al 2019 ). Both research groups produced questionnaires based on their conceptualizations of inner strength (Lewis and Roux 2011 ; Lundman et al 2011 ).…”