Sources and expressions of inner strength among old people who have experienced a crisis in life associated with a disease

• Inner strength is reported as an important resource associated with aging, health, and disease management. The aim was toexplore inner strength in people (n ¼ 12) aged 65 years and older, who had experienced a crisis in life associated with a disease. The participants had self-rated their inner strength as high. We found that sources of inner strength were mutual love and support, and the fact that tough times have been managed before. Expressions of inner strength comprised focusing on possibilities instead of brooding, facing and take an active part in care and treatment, and being able to confront reality and pick yourself up again. Inner strength is a complex phenomenon. Increased knowledge of inner strength can serve as an aid inefforts to identify the need to promote inner strength.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Omvårdnad (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Nursing (hsv//eng)

Keyword

disease management

experiences

inner strength

old people

qualitative content analysis

omvårdnadsforskning med medicinsk inriktning

Caring Sciences

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)