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A conceptual foundation for human suffering in nursing care and research
Author(s) -
Rodgers Beth L.,
Cowles Kathleen V.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
journal of advanced nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.948
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 1365-2648
pISSN - 0309-2402
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2648.1997.19970251048.x
Subject(s) - foundation (evidence) , phenomenon , meaning (existential) , clarity , conceptual framework , nursing theory , psychology , nursing research , health care , nursing , nursing practice , epistemology , medicine , medline , psychotherapist , philosophy , biochemistry , chemistry , archaeology , political science , law , economics , history , economic growth
Suffering is a significant, yet elusive, phenomenon in nursing and health care. Despite the importance and prevalence of suffering, there is only a small body of substantive literature on this topic. Some of the difficulty in expanding this knowledge base undoubtedly is related to the lack of a solid conceptual foundation for exploration of this phenomenon. Although there have been appempts to provide neede conceptual clarity, these efforts typically have not been based on systematic inquiry. In this study, the method of concept analysis was used to inductively generate a definition of the concept of suffering and to clarify various contextual aspects of the concept. Suffering is defined as an individulized, subjective, and complex experience that involves the assignment of an intensely negative meaning to anevent or a perceived threat. Implications of these findings and additional contextual aspects of the concept for nursing practice and inquiry are presented. These results help to provide the conceptual foundation needed to enhance recognition and understanding of the human experience of suffering.