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Lichaam en Zelf: Eenheid of Differentiatie? : Een exploratief onderzoek naar de relaties tussen Lichaam, Zelf en Ziekte bij chronisch zieke en gehandicapte mensen

Vos, Mirjam Elisabeth (2009) Lichaam en Zelf: Eenheid of Differentiatie? : Een exploratief onderzoek naar de relaties tussen Lichaam, Zelf en Ziekte bij chronisch zieke en gehandicapte mensen.

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Abstract:This research focuses on how chronically ill and/or disabled people experience their body, their illness and their sense of identity, the ‘self’. Previous research shows that the experience of a unity of body and self could lead to increased self-esteem. However, there is also literature suggesting that differentiating between body, self and illness may lead to increased well-being and better coping with the illness. To be able to measure to what extent chronically ill people differentiate between Body and Self, Body and Illness, and Self and Illness, a questionnaire consisting of three scales has been developed. This questionnaire has been administered to twelve persons according to the “Three Step Test Interview” method. The gathered data have been analyzed quantitatively as well as qualitatively. The results of the quantitative data analysis show that the respondents do not consistently respond to the questions, and suggest that the questionnaire probably does not measure the underlying construct of differentiation. However, the results of the qualitative data analysis indicate that the respondents do actually try as much as possible to differentiate between Self and Illness, and, to a lesser degree, between Body and Self. From the difference between the responses to the Self - Illness questions and the responses to the Body - Self questions we can conclude that the respondents also differentiate between Body and Illness. The theoretical implications of these finding are discussed. Based on the findings from the qualitative analysis as well as from previous research, it is supposed that the relations between Body, Self and Illness are of a dynamic nature, and strongly depend on the social context. An argument is made for a more narrative/qualitative approach to charting the changing relations that each individual experiences between Body, Self and Illness. Interventions should not be targeted at changing the individually experienced and situationally determined relations between Body, Self and Illness, but at choosing effective coping strategies in different situations.
Item Type:Essay (Bachelor)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:77 psychology
Programme:Psychology BSc (56604)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/59127
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