9.2.2 The utility of the 'story' in nursing research (438)

Tom Donovan, Director of Studies, School of Health Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom tommydon@liv.ac.uk

Abstract:

Male breast cancer is an extremely rare and potentially fatal condition that usually affects men in their mid 60’s. Psychological reactions to female breast cancer are widely reported but research into the psychosocial impact of male breast cancer is very scarce.

Method:

A small (n=5) purposive sample of participants from the United Kingdom participated in in-depth interviews to identify lived experiences of male breast cancer. A further nine participants from the USA, Canada, Australia and Belgium contributed contextual data via e-mail correspondence. Interviews were audio taped and transcribed. Analysis of the data proceeded following van Manen’s (1990) method.

Results:

The findings of the research suggested that participants experienced a profound change within their embodied self where the removal of the male breast constituted a significant alteration to body image and sexuality. Consequently, stigmatisation caused some participants to conceal their illness and initiate behavioural changes to maintain secrecy. Participants also managed the impact of the illness by a strategy of distancing which minimised its potential psychological threat. The participants perceived changes in their existential relationship with life and found new meanings for aspects of their lives that they had previously taken for granted. A paradoxical relationship between gender and breast cancer emerged. This paper will present some of the findings above as a contextual frame, but will also critically explore some methodological questions regarding the value and utility of using personal stories as a medium for inquiry into lived experience. Although this approach is often cited as an effective vehicle for capturing phenomenological data, it is also widely used in historical and narrative approaches. This paper questions nursing researchers utilising specific methodological frameworks, but with broadly similar data gathering techniques, offer distinctive perspectives to their participant’s experiences.

Biography:

I am currently Director of Studies for the Bachelor of Nursing (Hons) Programme at the University of Liverpool. I have held an academic role since 1998. My previous clinical role focussed upon cancer and palliative care. My research interests encompass psychosocial and gender related elelements of these areas.