Aim
The aim of this paper was to discuss how to understand and undertake thematic analysis based on descriptive phenomenology. Methodological principles to guide the process of analysis are offered ...grounded on phenomenological philosophy. This is further discussed in relation to how scientific rigour and validity can be achieved.
Design
This is a discursive article on thematic analysis based on descriptive phenomenology.
Results
This paper takes thematic analysis based on a descriptive phenomenological tradition forward and provides a useful description on how to undertake the analysis. Ontological and epistemological foundations of descriptive phenomenology are outlined. Methodological principles are explained to guide the process of analysis, as well as help to understand validity and rigour. Researchers and students in nursing and midwifery conducting qualitative research need comprehensible and valid methods to analyse the meaning of lived experiences and organize data in meaningful ways.
Purpose: Experiencing breastfeeding difficulties poses a risk for early cessation of breastfeeding and decreases the likelihood of breastfeeding a future child. To further understand breastfeeding ...outcomes, the aim of this study is to explain the phenomenon of breastfeeding difficulties in order to understand how women's previous experiences of breastfeeding difficulties relate to their decisions about future breastfeeding.
Methods: A reflective lifeworld hermeneutical approach was adopted. The study consisted of 15 lifeworld interviews with eight women who had previously experienced difficulties with initial breastfeeding.
Results: Previously experienced breastfeeding difficulties represent an existential breastfeeding trauma in an individual woman's life, from which there are two intertwined pathways for future breastfeeding: a fear of breastfeeding, which renders the idea of future breastfeeding unthinkable, and a longing for breastfeeding, which increases the likelihood of future breastfeeding. Fear and longing are intertwined in ambiguous ways in an individual woman's life.
Conclusion: Women with previous breastfeeding difficulties may bring negative breastfeeding experiences with them, which are etched into the woman's being as a mother as an embodied memory. A lifeworld-led caring science perspective as a foundation for care can contribute to the development of caring practices, which grasp the existential nature of the breastfeeding trauma.
Many women cease breastfeeding earlier than desired. This study examined the cessation of breastfeeding among mothers of preterm infants. Thus, the aim was to describe the cessation of breastfeeding ...in mothers of preterm infants up to 12 months after birth.
This mixed methods study used a convergent design with both qualitative data, consisting of written comments, and quantitative data, on breastfeeding status and breastfeeding satisfaction. The data were collected from questionnaires sent to the mothers at three points during the first year after birth. In total, 270 mothers of preterm infants who breastfed at the time of discharge from the neonatal unit provided data for the study. The quantitative and qualitative data were analysed separately with statistical tests and hermeneutical analysis, respectively and then together according to the convergent mixed methods design.
Four themes of the meanings of the cessation of breastfeeding were identified in the qualitative analysis: "Desire to regain the mother's and the infant's well-being", "The mothers interpretation that the infants actively ceased breastfeeding", "The mother's body and/or the infants' signals showing the way" and "The mother's own will and perceived external obstacles". Mothers who did not breastfeed as long as they wanted were more likely to report less satisfaction with breastfeeding, a shorter breastfeeding period, and less activity when ceasing breastfeeding. In comparison, mothers who breastfed as long as they wanted were more satisfied with breastfeeding, breastfed for a longer period of time and were more active in decision making in breastfeeding cessation.
Maternal passivity or activity influenced the cessation of breastfeeding in mothers of preterm infants who breastfed at the time of discharge from the neonatal unit. Passive behaviour related to breastfeeding may result in early cessation of breastfeeding, and low breastfeeding satisfaction while active behaviour may increase breastfeeding length and satisfaction.
Background and aim
The aim of the present article was to elaborate on a research approach and method called ‘lifeworld hermeneutics’. Significant to lifeworld hermeneutics is that interpretation is ...the main methodological instrument for explaining and understanding existential research questions and lived experiences. From a caring science perspective, this often refers to research that aims to gain a deeper understanding of existential phenomena and issues, such as existential meaning of health, well‐being, homelessness, lostness, suffering and ageing, as well as what it means to experience unhealthiness and illness, the need for care, and caring that responds to such needs.
Design
Theoretical paper.
Result
The article briefly covers ontology and epistemology that clarifies the meaning and importance of a lifeworld hermeneutic attitude. This is followed by suggestions for how to perform a lifeworld hermeneutic study, expressed in relation to methodological principles for the interpretation, validation and structuring of interpretations. Thereafter, follow reflections on how to use theoretical or philosophical support to develop and deepen existential interpretations. The findings of lifeworld hermeneutic research consist of existential interpretations where the researcher, with an open and pliable attitude towards the phenomenon and the aim of the study, clarifies, explains and suggests new ways of understanding participants’ lived experiences; the researcher should maintain such an attitude towards their understanding of the phenomenon as well.
Conclusion
The lifeworld hermeneutical approach and method described in this article makes it possible to further deepen the understanding and knowledge about existential issues that is relevant for caring and caring science.
A lack of understanding of personal experiences related to limb amputation and prosthetic use limits the extent to which clinicians involved in rehabilitation can support and advise their clients in ...a person-centered consultation. The objective of this qualitative study was to explore the personal experience of daily life as a lower limb prosthesis user.
Fifteen lower limb prosthesis users participated in individual semistructured interviews. Transcripts were analyzed using a phenomenographic approach.
The extent to which prosthesis users were able to adjust to their impairment and move on with their life was influenced by social interactions with other prosthesis users, access to relevant information about prosthetic solutions that may benefit them, and finding a balance between desired activities and their physical and/or cognitive capacity.
After a period of existential adjustment, prosthesis users described themselves as living active, fulfilling lives. This was facilitated to a large extent by social interactions with other prosthesis users and access to information they perceived as relevant. Social media plays a particularly important role in establishing connections with other prosthesis users and is perceived as a useful source of information.
Being a mother of a preterm infant (< 37 gestational weeks) puts the mother in a vulnerable and fragile situation wherein breastfeeding is an important part of becoming a mother and bonding with the ...infant. Nevertheless, the breastfeeding experience of mothers during the first year after a preterm birth has not been well studied. To develop professional caring and supporting relationships, it is important to address this knowledge gap. The aim of this study was to describe the breastfeeding experience of mothers of preterm infants from birth up until 12 months after birth.
The data in this qualitative study are derived from a multicentre randomized controlled trial where 270 mothers of preterm infants provided 496 written comments through questionnaires containing open-ended questions. The questionnaires were sent to the mother three times during the first 12 months after birth. A thematic network analysis based on hermeneutical philosophy was used to analyse and interpret the resulting data to describe the mothers' experiences of breastfeeding.
Three organizing themes, namely,
and
were revealed in the mothers' narratives regarding their breastfeeding experiences during the first 12 months after birth. These organizing themes were further interpreted as one global theme that was deemed "
."
Mothers of preterm infants are in an exposed and vulnerable situation when initiating breastfeeding during the first year. This situation leads to a unique journey wherein each mother navigates through breastfeeding depending on her individual situation. An awareness of the diversity of breastfeeding experiences may contribute to the provision of professional caring and supportive relationships.
www.clinicaltrial.gov NCT01806480 registered 7 March 2013.
•The passive second stage is an unknown phase to nulliparous women.•The women experienced uncertainty, loss of control and frustration.•Women with prolonged passive second stage require skilful ...midwifery support.•Shared decision-making is recommended.•The passive second stage should be included in antenatal preparations.
Prolonged progress can occur in the first and second stages of labour and may contribute to a negative birth experience. However, previous studies have mainly focused on quantitative aspects or overall birth experience, and little is known about women’s experiences of a prolonged passive second stage.
To describe the lived experiences of a prolonged passive second stage of labour in nulliparous women.
A qualitative study was conducted with 15 nulliparous women with a passive second stage lasting three hours or more. Data were analysed using thematic analysis based on descriptive phenomenology.
The analysis resulted in four themes: “An unknown phase” that entailed remaining in a phase that the women lacked an awareness of. “Trust and mistrust in the body’s ability” represents the mindset for vaginal birth as well as feelings of powerlessness and self-guilt. The theme “Loss of control” included experiences of frustration, fatigue, and having to deny bodily instincts. “Support through presence and involvement” signifies support through the midwife’s presence in the birthing room, although there were also descriptions of emotional or physical absence.
The findings contribute to the understanding of prolonged labour based on women’s lived experiences and add to the body of knowledge about the prolonged passive second stage. This study highlights that women need support through information, presence, and encouragement to remain in control. It can be beneficial during birth preparation to include knowledge about the passive second stage together with unexpected or complicated situations during birth, such as prolonged labour.
AimThe aim of this meta-ethnography was to identify and synthesize qualitative studies focusing on older people’s and registered nurses’ interpretations of competence in home care.MethodsThe ...meta-ethnography followed the six phases developed by Noblit and Hare (1988).ResultsIn Phase 6, the translation process of the included studies, three themes were identified: i) temporality—the feeling of being of value; ii) dignity—a person, not just a patient; and iii) mutuality of being—togetherness. A synthesis was developed, and the phrase “a becoming in the meeting” emerged.ConclusionThe sense of becoming includes progress, which means becoming something other than before in relation with others and refers to what constitutes the meeting between the older person and the registered nurse working in home care. Competence originates from becoming in the meeting, and registered nurses should therefore value what they do and hold on to this aspect of caring competence that centres on a caring relationship. It is important for registered nurses working in home care to be able to cultivate a caring relationship.
Abstract Background and Aim The aim of the present article is to describe meaning‐oriented thematic analysis grounded in reflective lifeworld research and to illustrate how the thematic analysis can ...be integrated in the research process. The article is a methodological paper, including ontological and epistemological assumptions for lifeworld theory. Research based on lifeworld theory is directed towards lived experiences and meanings in everyday life. Research that is founded on the epistemology of the lifeworld can present existential issues important for caring and qualitative research can in particular contribute to existential knowledge needed to understand the world of the patient. Design Theoretical paper. Results Starting with a phenomenon of relevance for caring science, the article argues for lifeworld interviews as a data collection method that can contribute to depth and meaning, and then presents a description of how structures of meaning can be outlined through a meaning‐oriented thematic analysis. The research of lived experiences in caring science demands an approach that includes a reflective attitude during the methodological considerations. This article highlights the importance of ontological and epistemological considerations when conducting a meaning‐oriented thematic analysis. Conclusion The article places meaning‐oriented thematic analysis in a wider research process, considering all aspects from collection of data to the creation of meaning‐oriented themes.
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