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“To be lonely in your own loneliness”: The interplay between self‐perceived loneliness and rheumatoid arthritis in everyday life: A qualitative study
Author(s) -
Bay Laila Twisttmann,
Ellingsen Torkell,
Giraldi Annamaria,
Graugaard Christian,
Nielsen Dorthe S.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
musculoskeletal care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.628
H-Index - 28
eISSN - 1557-0681
pISSN - 1478-2189
DOI - 10.1002/msc.1480
Subject(s) - loneliness , rheumatoid arthritis , thematic analysis , feeling , everyday life , medicine , narrative , qualitative research , social support , social isolation , psychology , clinical psychology , social psychology , psychiatry , sociology , social science , linguistics , philosophy , political science , law
Objective Loneliness has a negative impact on physical health, and rheumatoid arthritis symptoms can lead to social isolation. However, there is a lack of research exploring patients' perspectives on self‐perceived loneliness in everyday life with rheumatoid arthritis. The purpose of this study was to gain insight into the meaning and importance of self‐perceived loneliness among adult patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Methods This study was designed as a qualitative, exploratory interview study using a narrative framework. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with Danish adults with rheumatoid arthritis. All interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed within a narrative thematic framework. Results Ten women and seven men were interviewed, aged between 18 and 73 years and a disease duration between 6 months and 40 years. Three themes were identified during the analysis: (1) explanations of loneliness in everyday life with rheumatoid arthritis, (2) disclosing or disguising loneliness, and (3) feelings of loneliness in social life. Conclusion The findings from this study show that loneliness can be burdensome when living with RA. Narratives of loneliness can be hard for patients to disclose, so health care practitioners should take responsibility for legitimizing this subject. A narrative approach in consultations may be helpful to support patients and to encourage a dialogue about loneliness in everyday life with rheumatoid arthritis.