J Korean Community Nurs.  1995 Dec;6(2):133-160.

Phenomenological Study of the Lived Experience of Elderly People

• Huang BS
• Shin YS
• Yun SO
• Lee JH
• Jung KY
• Kim JS
• Kim LS
• Kim BY
• Kang YM

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to understand the structure of the lived experience by poor elderly people. The research question was "What is the structure of the lived experience of life of a poor elderly people." The sample consisted of 21 single poor elderly persons in Pusan. The unstructured interviews were audio-recorded and analyzed using the Van Kaam method. This study was 368 responses which yielded of descriptive expressions and priority classifications. The result generated 74 common elements, 18 syntheses of hypothetical definitions and 5 identifications of the structural definition. The structural definitions and hypothetical definitions were as follows; 1. physical discomfort ; complaints of severe pain ; dysfunction of physical organs 2. emotional cognition ; despair ; resignation ; attitude toward death 3. support system ; interaction with family ; thinking about God ; economical difficulties ; expectancy of social services ; opinions about health service ; leisure ; interaction with neighborhood ; dissatisfaction due to inadequate environment 4. past reminiscence ; negative reminiscence of one's past ; past regret ; positive reminiscence of one's past 5. desire ; desire of unrealization life ; self satisfaction The significance of this study for nursing are; Comprehension of the lived experience of client and identification' of nursing approach method concerning the lifestyle of client.

MeSH Terms

Aged*
Busan
Classification
Cognition
Comprehension
Health Services
Humans
Leisure Activities
Life Style
Nursing
Residence Characteristics
Social Work
Thinking