Women’s lived experience of well-being in everyday life when living with a stress-related illness

• Main Authors: Ulrica Hörberg, Petra Wagman, Anna Birgitta Gunnarsson
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2020-01-01
• Series: International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health & Well-Being
• Subjects: exhaustion disorder; health; interviews; mental health; photographs; primary healthcare; reflective lifeworld research; stress-related illness; well-being
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2020.1754087

Purpose: The aim of the study was to describe how women with stress-related illness experience well-being in everyday life. Methods: The study was based on a reflective lifeworld research (RLR) approach and the methodological principles of openness, flexibility and bridling. Twelve women, aged 27–54 years, diagnosed with stress-related illness were included. Data were collected with lifeworld interviews based on photographs taken by the women relating to well-being in everyday life. The data were analysed for meaning. Results: Well-being emerged in situations where women could feel an unconditional beingness. This entails not having demands on oneself and includes some form of freedom from having to perform. The surroundings and supportive environments are important for this unconditional beingness to be present. In order to feel well-being in everyday life, the women need to balance their energy and find helpful tools that can achieve a balance in everyday life. Conclusions: Healthcare staff need to understand the importance of unconditional beingness in supportive environments for patients living with stress-related illness in order to support their health and well-being. It is also important to support patients in finding helpful tools that can aid them to achieve a balance in everyday life.