Facing mortality: A qualitative in-depth interview study on illness perception, lay theories and coping strategies of adult patients with acute leukemia 1 week after diagnosis

Koenigsmann, Michael; Koehler, Katharina; Regner, Andreas; Franke, Astrid; Frommer, Jörg

doi:10.1016/j.leukres.2005.12.016

« Previous Next »Leukemia Research
Volume 30, Issue 9 , Pages 1127-1134, September 2006

Facing mortality: A qualitative in-depth interview study on illness perception, lay theories and coping strategies of adult patients with acute leukemia 1 week after diagnosis

Michael Koenigsmann
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Medical Faculty of the Otto-von-Guericke-University, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +49 391 67 13281; fax: +49 391 67 13267.
Katharina Koehler
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty of the Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany
Andreas Regner
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Medical Faculty of the Otto-von-Guericke-University, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
Astrid Franke
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Medical Faculty of the Otto-von-Guericke-University, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
Jörg Frommer
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty of the Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany

Received 2 November 2005; received in revised form 21 December 2005; accepted 23 December 2005. published online 07 March 2011.

Abstract

In patients with acute leukemia we investigated the illness perceptions, lay theories and coping strategies 1 week after diagnosis. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 12 patients. The transcribed interviews were analyzed by methods of qualitative research. Dramatic narrations of overwhelming threat in younger patients contrast to rationalization in elderly patients. Feelings of helplessness and efforts of normalization become apparent. Intense descriptions of physical injury due to invasive procedures allow verbalizing the fear of the disease. While coping strategies are complex, the overall importance of trust is recognized. Mortal fears are indirectly indicated. The results have consequences for psycho-oncological training and patient education.

Keywords: Illness perception, Lay theories, Coping strategies, Acute leukaemia, Quality of life, Qualitative research