Open AccessSheltering under a shield of love—A phenomenological–hermeneutic study of relatives' experiences in an acute neurological ward
Author(s) -
Hesselvig Lærke Toft,
Beck Malene,
Simony Charlotte
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
nursing open
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.55
H-Index - 12
ISSN - 2054-1058
DOI - 10.1002/nop2.481
Subject(s) - feeling , hermeneutic phenomenology , existentialism , interpretation (philosophy) , vulnerability (computing) , psychology , phenomenology (philosophy) , lived experience , psychoanalysis , interpretative phenomenological analysis , qualitative research , social psychology , psychotherapist , nursing , medicine , sociology , epistemology , philosophy , social science , linguistics , computer security , computer science
Aim To investigate the lived experience of being a relative to a patient admitted to an acute neurological ward to bring knowledge of what is essential to them. Design The study takes a phenomenological–hermeneutic approach. Methods Data were gathered through six individual semi‐structured interviews with relatives from an acute neurological ward. A three‐levelled analysis and interpretation inspired by Paul Ricoeur's philosophy was applied. Results Two main themes were identified: To make yourself strong while feeling vulnerable inside and To live in a changed everyday life . Within these themes, the connection between the relatives and the patients appeared to be a relationship of love. In this relationship, the relatives experience existential vulnerability. The lives of relatives undergo a difficult upheaval, which is challenged by deep emotional feelings. However, to be able to be there for their loved ones they are sheltering under a shield of love.