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Isolation and lack of access in multiple chemical sensitivity: A qualitative study
Author(s) -
Gibson Pamela Reed,
Sledd Lauren G.,
McEnroe William H.,
Vos Abby P.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
nursing and health sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.563
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1442-2018
pISSN - 1441-0745
DOI - 10.1111/j.1442-2018.2011.00606.x
Subject(s) - limiting , qualitative research , perspective (graphical) , isolation (microbiology) , focus group , focus (optics) , psychology , social psychology , qualitative property , multiple chemical sensitivity , computer science , sociology , engineering , social science , biology , bioinformatics , mechanical engineering , physics , optics , artificial intelligence , machine learning , psychiatry , anthropology
This paper describes a qualitative interview study of 26 persons with multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS), also referred to as chemical intolerance. We used a phenomenological perspective and planned to focus on the impact of MCS on relationships, but found that difficulty with accessing safe spaces at times prevented relationships by limiting access to personal interactions. Thus, persons with MCS either lost or were unable to cultivate new relationships as a result of lack of spatial access. Others' lack of understanding and refusal to make accommodations at times denied spatial access to those with MCS. In this way, relationships (relationality) and spatial access (spatiality) interacted with one another to keep persons isolated. In this paper, we describe informants' detailed experience of living with chemical intolerance in a culture where chemical exposures are commonplace.