The experiences of adolescents living in harmony with early onset scoliosis

• Main Authors: Chen, Szu-Chun, 陳思淳
• Other Authors: Lu, Pau-Ching
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2014
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/x8jj3b

碩士 === 國立政治大學 === 社會工作研究所 === 102 === 　In-depth interviews were conducted in this study, and six adolescents with early onset scoliosis were interviewed to understand their subjective feelings and experience interpretations, analyzing the impact of the illness on their development, and investigating the demonstrations of resiliencies in the course of the illness. 　Adolescents with scoliosis experience much physiological discomfort, including pain and soreness, poor sleep quality, limited mobility, or symptoms caused by organ compression such as shortness of breath, bed-wetting, and difficulties in eating. The treatment experiences of adolescents with scoliosis are continuous processes extending alongside their conditions; the process is divided into four stages in this study: (1) a frantic search of medical help; (2) frustration and helplessness during the treatment; (3) unavoidable surgery; (4) impacts and adaption after the treatment. 　The adolescents with the illness have the same responsibilities to develop themselves as normal adolescents do, but have to face different pressures and concerns; moreover, with their life choices revolving around the illness, there are considerable levels of limitations. Studies have found the adolescents to be: (1) disturbed in body images; (2) deprived of autonomy due to overprotection; (3) bullied and rejected in relationships; (4) unable to handle medical treatments and academic work at the same time; (5) affected in career choices: the adolescents’ career choices are limited by their health, and their parents also have lower expectations for their career development; (6) pessimistic when it comes to considering marriage or partner choices: they worry that their body limits may become dating obstacles, and that they may not have be able to have children normally. 　After the adolescents go through the journey of the illness, what are the resiliencies supporting them through the difficulties, and how do the resiliencies impact their life and future? Studies have found that protecting factors that can influence recovery include: (1) personal protecting factors: independence, an understanding that hard work is required and courage in venturing, positivity in facing the pain from the illness, resilience, the will to survive the illness and figure out ways to cope with it; (2) family protecting factors: emotional support (guidance in positive thinking and unconditional psychological support from the family), instrumental support (body care assistance); (3) community protecting factors: school environmental support (opportunities to create positive experiences, appropriate attention from teachers, a sense of safety, acceptance and affection from peers, which can provide a sense of belonging), medical environmental support (professional advice and assistance from the medical staff, support and cheering from the medical staff, medical financial support to alleviate family burdens, empathy and the power of encouragement between patient friends). The results of recovering strength demonstration can be divided into four aspects: (1) adjustment of habitual mindsets and the reconstruction of life meaning; (2) feeling for others and the cultivation of the ability to be forgiving and have empathy; (3) eagerness in helping others; (4) exhibiting a life attitude embracing feelings of gratitude, and possessing a stronger appreciation of the moment and courage in expressing love and gratefulness.