Men farmers’ experiences of identity following lower limb amputation due to traumatic farming accidents: An interpretative phenomenological study.

Abstract

Aims: This study intended to explore how men farmers who became amputees due to farming accidents understand and experience their posttrauma identity. Method: A qualitative design employing interpretative phenomenological analysis explored the experiences of eight men farmers who underwent lower limb amputation due to traumatic farming accidents in the Republic of Ireland. Findings: A constellation of patterns between participants’ identities and traumatic farm accident experiences emerged. All participants experienced robust identities despite adversity; however, some appeared to experience resilient identities whilst others were interpreted as experiencing posttraumatic growth identities. Similarities and differences in the sample are explored, posing clinical and research implications. Conclusions: The experiences of farmers with lower limb amputation(s) due to individual traumatic farming accidents yield a rich interplay of psychological phenomenon previously not explored. This study provides some insights into the psychosocial experience of this underresearched population. Further research is required.