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Lost in an unknown terrain : a phenomenological contribution to the understanding of existential concerns as experienced by young women in Sweden
- Source :
- International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health & Well-Being, Vol 14, Iss 1 (2019), International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being
- Publication Year :
- 2019
- Publisher :
- Linnéuniversitetet, Institutionen för hälso- och vårdvetenskap (HV), 2019.
-
Abstract
- Purpose: The aim of this study is to describe young women’s (16–25 years old) experiences of living with existential concerns for which they have sought support from healthcare professionals, teachers, family, or friends, among others. Methods: This phenomenological study is based on a reflective lifeworld research (RLR) approach. Nine young women were interviewed about their experience of living with existential concerns. Results: The results show the essential meaning of the phenomenon of “existential concerns” that can be described as living a life that is marked in a profound way by a feeling of being lost in an unknown terrain. To further understand the essential meaning, four constituents are described: the unpredictable body, longing for comprehension, playing a game, and longing to share one’s vulnerability. Conclusions: Young women with existential concerns are vulnerable, as they are profoundly influenced by these concerns. They have to navigate through daily life while trying to fit in and to make their situation comprehensible. These young women have a longing to share their existential concerns with a trustworthy person, while at the same time they fear revealing their existential concerns and risking being rejected by others. A lifeworld-led, caring science approach, intertwined with the results of the present study, has the potential to direct caring practice.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Adolescent
Existentialism
Caring science
reflective lifeworld research
Review Article
Nursing
Young Adult
Activities of Daily Living
Adaptation, Psychological
Humans
Qualitative Research
Sweden
young women
lcsh:R5-920
Omvårdnad
existential concerns
Reflective lifeworld research
caring science
Quality of Life
phenomenology
Female
Mental health
Phenomenology
Young women
lcsh:Medicine (General)
Existential concerns
mental health
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health & Well-Being, Vol 14, Iss 1 (2019), International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being
- Accession number :
- edsair.pmid.dedup....52f460e40b921526cfbf88b7215b66ab