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Hwang, Yi, Park, and Kwon: Phenomenology on the Lived Experience of Korean Women with Spinal Cord Injuries
Original Article
Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing

Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing 2012; 42(4): 508-516.

Published online: 31 August 2012

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2012.42.4.508

Phenomenology on the Lived Experience of Korean Women with Spinal Cord Injuries

Hye Min Hwang1, Myungsun Yi2, Eun Young Park3, Eun Jin Kwon1

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

2College of Nursing & Research Institute of Nursing Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.

3Department of Nursing Science, Gachon University of Medicine and Science, Incheon, Korea.

Address reprint requests to: Hwang, Hye Min. College of Nursing, Seoul National University, 28 Yongon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-799, Korea. Tel: +82-2-740-8460, Fax: +82-82-2-740-8837, teddyhm@snu.ac.kr

Received 20 January 2012       Accepted 19 July 2012

© 2012 Korean Society of Nursing Science

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to understand and explain the essences and structures of the experience of Korean women who have had a spinal cord injury.

Methods

The data were collected in 2010 through individual in-depth interviews using open-ended questions. A total of 9 women with spinal cord injuries participated in the study. Each interview lasted about 2 hours. Verbatim transcripts were analyzed using phenomenological analysis.

Results

Five theme clusters emerged from the analysis using Colaizzi's method: frozen mind with rigid body; shame due to restrictions of physical function and dependency; struggle to go back to the previous normal body; disabilities that are noticeable in everyday family life; rebirth by discarding the obsessions of the past. These theme clusters illustrate that although most participants faced very strange and unbearable situations in most aspects of life after the injury, they were empowered finally by finding their hope and by giving new meanings to the current existence.

Conclusion

This study provides deep understanding of women with spinal cord injuries who are relatively alienated from society. Based on the results of the study, health professionals could develop effective nursing interventions to improve quality of life of these women.

Keywords: Qualitative research, Spinal cord injuries, Women

Figures and Tables

Table 1
The Characteristics of the Participants
jkan-42-508-i001

*Income ₩10,000.

**ADL (Activity of Daily Living) Level 1=Independent; 2=Needs help/Dependent; 3=Cannot do ADL.

Notes

This study was supported by the Korean Academy of Qualitative Research of Nursing.

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