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Joung and Yi: Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study on Caring Experience of the Mothers of Children with Epilepsy
Original Article

Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing 2017; 47(1): 71-85.

Published online: 28 February 2017

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2017.47.1.71

Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study on Caring Experience of the Mothers of Children with Epilepsy

Woo Joung Joung1, Myungsun Yi2

1Research Institute of Nursing Science · Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.

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

Address reprint requests to: Joung, Woo Joung. Research Institute of Nursing Science · Seoul National University, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03080, Korea. Tel: +82-2-740-8460, Fax: +82-2-740-8837, kimsoft1@snu.ac.kr

Received 22 July 2016       Revised 9 November 2016       Accepted 21 November 2016

© 2017 Korean Society of Nursing Science

(open-access):

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution NoDerivs License. (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/) If the original work is properly cited and retained without any modification or reproduction, it can be used and re-distributed in any format and medium.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to develop a deeper understanding of the experience of mothers caring for children with epilepsy.

Methods

Data were collected through individual in-depth interviews and observation from 12 mothers of children with epilepsy. Data were collected from December, 2014 to February, 2015 and analyzed using van Manen's hermeneutic phenomenological methodology to identify essential themes of their experience.

Results

The essential themes that fit into the context of the 4-existential grounds of time, body, other people, and space were: Lived time-ongoing influence of the past, living in insecure present, fearful future with no answer; Lived body-bonded body, burned out state; Lived other-burden but also support, shrunken down; Lived space-narrowed range of activity, widened horizon.

Conclusion

The findings in this study show in-depth understanding of the hardships of mothers who are caring for children with epilepsy. The beauty and greatness of these mothers are revealed through the analysis of various phenomenological materials such as literary and artistic work reflecting socio-cultural context, as well as vivid care experiences of mothers of children with epilepsy. This will be helpful in increasing understanding of the nature of caregivers' experience for medical professionals dealing with patients and caregivers. Also it helps to improve the understanding of the disease among the general public, followed by a more warming and caring attitude towards patients and family members. Finally, it will enhance psychological well-being and overall quality of life of the epileptic children and their families.

Keywords: Caring, Epilepsy, Mothers, Qualitative research

Figures and Tables

Table 1

Lived Experience of Mothers Caring for Children with Epilepsy

jkan-47-71-i001
Four fundamental existentials Essential themes Themes
Lived time (temporality) Ongoing influence of the past Prejudice & misunderstanding
Self-condemnation & divine punishment
Living in insecure present Continuous anxiety due to unpredictability
Paused developmental clock
Repeated but non-adaptable seizure
Fearful future with no answer Vagueness of unknown end
Regretfulness of limited caring
Fearfulness of passing down the disease
Lived body (corporeality) Bonded body Tangled up with the child
Burned out state Continuously working machine with no break
Aging body due to overload
Lived other (relationality) Burden but also support Unwanted favoritism
Husband standing one step behind
Shrunken down Feeling defeated
Comforted by commonality
Deadly scratch and support from health professionals
Lived space (spatiality) Narrowed range of activity Relieved only when the child is within reach
Locked in other’s view
Widened horizon Broadened view and mind
Realizing the worth of ‘the being’

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I sincerely thank Dr.Shon for his encouragement and support in carrying out this study. I also wish to express my sincere gratitude and respect to all 12 participants.

Notes

This manuscript is a revision of the first author's doctoral dissertation from Seoul National University.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST The authors declared no conflict of interest.

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