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Descriptive phenomenological study on ego‐integrity among older people in nursing homes
Author(s) -
ÜzarÖzçetin Yeter Sinem,
ErcanŞahin Nilay
Publication year - 2020
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/nhs.12715
Subject(s) - existentialism , id, ego and super ego , psychology , nursing , descriptive research , gerontological nursing , nursing homes , medicine , social psychology , sociology , social science , philosophy , epistemology
This study aimed to describe, interpret, and understand the phenomenon of ego integrity among nursing home residents using a descriptive phenomenological approach. Data were collected by conducting in‐depth face‐to‐face interviews with 18 nursing home residents with the aid of a pilot‐tested semi‐structured interview guide. The authors followed a systematic analytic procedure. Key themes and subthemes emerged when the codes were combined. The responses of the residents were classified under three themes: (i) existential well‐being, (ii) future expectations, and (iii) regrets regarding past life stages. The results underscored the important role of ego integrity in structuring oneʼs life in the later years. A lack of ego integrity had resulted in negative perceptions of life, a lack of future plans, and existential suffering. The findings underscore the importance of assessing ongoing temporal changes in the ego integrity of nursing home residents and providing effective programs that enhance their sense of ego integrity.