J Korean Acad Nurs.  2011 Apr;41(2):225-235. 10.4040/jkan.2011.41.2.225.

Psychosocial Adjustment of Low-Income Koreans with Cancer

• Yi M
• Park EY
• Kim DS
• Tae YS
• Chung BY
• So HS

• KMID: 1754164
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2011.41.2.225

Abstract

PURPOSE
To describe psychosocial adjustment of low-income Koreans who have cancer.
METHODS
Data were collected during 2008 using individual in-depth interviews with 18 Korean people with cancer. The income status of the participants was low, 11 were recipients of the National Basic Livelihood Protection program. Mean age was 58.3 yr and 11 were female. Five participants had stomach cancer, five, colorectal cancer, and four, breast cancer. Data were analyzed using grounded theory methodology.
RESULTS
The core category emerged as 'bearing up alone with double suffering'. 'Poverty and cancer: A double suffering' emerged as a causal condition. The adjustment process consisted of three stages: 'forming a treatment will to live' ,'practicing for the cure',and 'restructuring self and repaying favors'. Each stage indicated action-interaction strategies which were employed to bear up alone with double suffering during the illness process. Self-reflection, parental responsibility, and support from the public sector played important roles in overcoming the double suffering. Two types of consequences were identified: Transcended life and strained life suppressed by poverty and cancer.
CONCLUSION
The results provide insights into the psychosocial adjustment process for low income Korean with cancer and can be used in developing and implementing efficient home-care services for these people.

Keyword

Poverty; Neoplasms; Social adjustment; Psychosocial aspect; Qualitative research

MeSH Terms

*Adaptation, Psychological
Aged
Depression
Female
Humans
Interviews as Topic
Male
Middle Aged
Neoplasms/*psychology
Poverty
Republic of Korea
Social Support
Stress, Psychological

Figure

• 

  Figure 1 Process of psychosocial adjustment in low-income Koreans with cancer.

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