Metaphoric language and the articulation of emotions by people affected by motor neurone disease

Abstract

This secondary analysis of qualitative research interviews enriches our understanding of the articulation of emotion in motor neurone disease and adds to the literature on metaphor in chronic illness. Of particular interest is how the metaphors used contrasted with other conditions in the relative absence of metaphors of 'fighting' the disease. Furthermore, we analyse the ways in which participants used metaphors to give voice to emotions that are extremely difficult to articulate in 'literal' language, and how, in doing so, they blurred the distinction between 'physical' symptoms and 'emotional' states. Sensitivity to metaphors may help professionals communicate with people affected by motor neurone disease.

Examining the role of patients’ experiences as a resource for choice and decision-making in health care: a creative, interdisciplinary mixed-method study in digital health

“…66 Owing to the lack of research on the sixth and seventh domains, they were selected for further secondary analysis. 55,64,65 In our secondary analysis we found both variations and similarities between how people affected by different conditions used the internet and responded to PEx. This is significant, as a great deal of current research on health-related use of the internet is condition specific and hence unlikely to pick up on wider cross-condition trends and differences.…”

“…Throughout the course of the analysis, we presented the work in progress at programme grant meetings and conferences, receiving useful feedback that assisted with the development of key ideas. For more detail on the methods used please refer to Mazanderani et al, 55 Locock et al 64 and Mazanderani et al…”

“…Indeed, the ability to control seeing people and being seen was a key reason interviewees gave for using internet technologies for seeking out PEx and meeting people, rather than going to face-to-face support When people speak about their experiences of illness, they often use extremely vivid imagery and metaphors that can have a powerful impact on others. 64 The articulation of PEx through written and verbal language, especially in the form of narratives and stories, 14,47,50,83 has received a considerable amount of academic attention. In contrast, the visual dimensions of PEx through images and video has been relatively under-researched.…”

“…Much of the research discussed here has been published elsewhere. 55,[64][65][66] To avoid duplication, we do not go into the details of published work, but rather (1) provide a high-level overview of the findings from stage 1 of the secondary analyses that have not been published elsewhere and (2) summarise and contextualise key findings from both strands of stage 2 (which have been published) in relation to this wider secondary analysis.…”

“…The first, focused on issues around the reception of PEx, was an exploration into how processes of identification and visualisation mediated the ways in which people with serious neurological conditions (MND and Parkinson's disease) communicated and responded to PEx. 55,64 The second, focused on issues around the sharing of PEx, explored the 'value' that people who actively shared their experiences attributed to doing so. 65 In the second strand, drawing on the theoretical framework outlined in the previous chapter (WP1a), LK conducted further analysis to generate an item pool for the development of the eHIQ.…”