A path of perpetual resilience: Exploring the experience of a diabetes-related amputation through grounded theory

Livingstone, Wendy; Mortel, Thea F van de; Taylor, Beverly

doi:10.5172/conu.2011.39.1.20

Cited by 42 publications

(43 citation statements)

References 23 publications

(24 reference statements)

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“…This particular study, however, refers to patients who have undergone a diabetesrelated foot or leg amputation rather than prosthetic users in general. The authors found that despite the participants' sense of grief and loss post-operatively, participants revealed remarkable ability to endure and remain sufficiently resilient to perpetuate hope (Livingstone et al, 2011). Similarly, the present findings show that resilience is an important factor in the process of becoming a prosthetic user.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 59%

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Being In-Between

et al. 2016

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Many persons with leg amputations experience that using a prosthesis enriches their quality of life. However, there is an ongoing concern with underuse and non-use of artificial limbs in lower limb prosthetic rehabilitation. Studies have identified an initial critical stage among potential prosthetic users. The aim of this study was to explore the lived experience of becoming a prosthetic user as seen from the perspective of patients. The study is based on the phenomenological framework of Reflective Lifeworld Research (RLR). Data were collected through three in-depth interviews with each of the eight participants during the first year post-amputation. Data were analyzed according to the guidelines given in RLR. The findings showed that the participants found themselves in a state of in-between existence. They felt disconnected from their usual lives and not yet integrated in a new and different life. In this in-between existence, the participants oscillated between experiences of victory and defeat. The study adds to increased understanding of the initial critical stage of becoming a prosthetic user by showing that this in-between existence is inherent in the process of becoming a prosthetic user. To become a prosthetic user requires a high degree of stamina and resilience as this in-between existence takes its toll on patients' recovering process.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 59%

“…One study, however, reports resilience as the main finding (Livingstone, Mortel, & Taylor, 2011). This particular study, however, refers to patients who have undergone a diabetesrelated foot or leg amputation rather than prosthetic users in general.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Being In-Between

et al. 2016

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“…Similar to research conducted with samples of predominantly men with amputations (Singh et al, 2009), women described that feeling alone and experiencing grief/depression made coping with an amputation more difficult. Many cited not feeling like others understood how they were feeling and expressed difficulty with the loss, which is a typical reaction to loss (Livingstone, Van De Mortel, & Taylor, 2011). However, for individuals with prolonged and deleterious feelings in these areas, assistance such as psychotherapy may be helpful.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Coping and posttraumatic growth in women with limb amputations

Stutts

Bills

Erwin

et al. 2015

Psychology, Health & Medicine

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While ample research has examined the psychological experiences of men with limb amputations, minimal research has examined the psychological experiences of women with limb amputations. The present study utilizes a qualitative design to examine coping and posttraumatic growth in women with limb amputations. Thirty women completed the posttraumatic growth inventory (PTGI) and provided open-ended responses about coping, social support, discrimination, support groups, and acceptance. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to discern emergent and superordinate themes in qualitative responses. Superordinate themes included social support (friendships/family and community), self-beliefs, resources, physical complications, spirituality, specific strategies, and acceptance. Concerns related specifically to participants' gender identity included appearance and motherhood. Overall, women reported moderate-to-high PTGI scores. The current findings address a void in the literature by illuminating the unique perspective of women with amputations. Future research should use quantitative methodology to expand on our research findings, as well as assess interventions to assist women adjusting to limb loss.

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“…Resilience has been defined as the capacity to deal with, overcome, learn from, or be transformed by life's inevitable adversities (American Psychological Association, 2011;Grotberg, 2003;Rutter, 1985;Werner, 1993). Resilient youths overcome challenges expected to derail them from their expected progress and demonstrate competence at or above common levels of functioning (Hilliard & Harris, 2012;Jaser & White, 2011;Livingstone, Mortel, & Taylor, 2011). People with chronic diseases often talk about how their diagnosis helped them recognize their own resilience namely, they felt able to tap into sources of strength and to be resourceful in ways that they had never thought possible.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%