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Journal of Child Health Care, Vol. 12, No. 2, 129-143 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/1367493508088550

Embodied suffering: experiences of fear in adolescent girls with cancer

Agneta Anderzén Carlsson, RN, MSc

Centre for Health Care Sciences, Örebro University Hospital and Department of Clinical Medicine, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden, agneta.anderzen-karlsson{at}orebroll.se

Annica Kihlgren, RN, PhD

Centre for Health Care Sciences, Örebro University Hospital and Department of Health Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden

Venke Sørlie, RNT, PhD

Centre for Practical Knowledge, School of Professional Studies, Bodø University College, Bodø, Norway

Previously, fear in adolescents with cancer has been sparsely described from an emic perspective. The aim of this study was to illuminate fear in adolescents with personal experience of cancer. The participants were six adolescent girls between the age of 14 and 16 years who were no longer under active treatment for cancer but still went for regular check-ups. Open interviews were conducted. Data were analysed according to the phenomenological hermeneutic method. In the result one main theme was identified: `an embodied fear — a threat to the personal self'. This theme was built up by three separate but intertwined themes: `experiencing fear related to the physical body', `experiencing existential fear' and `experiencing fear related to the social self'. In the comprehensive understanding the fear was interpreted from youth cultural aspects as well as a holistic perspective. The importance of professionals taking the whole person and their situation into account when meeting the fear is underlined.

Key Words: adolescent • cancer • narrative • vulnerability


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