Thesis
The lived experience of suffering: a study with Parse's theory and research methodology
Southern Cross University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Centre for Nursing
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Southern Cross University
1994
Metrics
119 Record Views
Abstract
This study sought to build knowledge and understanding of the phenomenon of human suffering. The scientific literature in nursing acknowledges that the phenomenon of suffering is ubiquitous and poorly understood. Suffering as a lived experience has not been adequately elucidated through research endeavour, though it is a feature of human living. Qualitative approaches to investigation of this phenomenon have been recommended to apprehend the essential nature of this lived experience. This study represents a human science approach to investigation of the phenomenon of suffering. Parse's human becoming theory provided the theoretical perspective for the study.
The purpose of the study was to uncover the structure of the lived experience of suffering using Parse's human becoming research methodology. The Parse research methodology represents a phenomenological research method which is unique to nursing science and is relatively new. This methodology represents an advancement in nursing research. The research question was: What is the structure of the lived experience of suffering? Nine research participants were admitted to the study, each participant described their experience of suffering through dialogical engagement. The research methodology was utilized in the study according to Parse's specifications. The scientific processes of the method include (I) dialogical engagement, (2) extraction-synthesis, and (3) heuristic interpretation. Dialogical engagement required audio-taped discussion between the researcher and each participant. Transcribed dialogues were rigorously analysed and processed according to the Parse research method. The study found that the structure of the lived experience of suffering is a paralyzing anguish with glimpses of precious possibilities emerging in entanglements of engaging-disengaging while struggling in the pursuit of fortification. On the theoretical level the structure is: valuing the connecting-separating of powering. The study develops and substantiates the human science knowledge base on suffering. Further it demonstrates that Parse's research methodology is effective in uncovering the structure of lived experiences. It is envisaged that the study findings may be used to inform nursing practice and research, in terms of expanding the knowledge base for practice and generating further research questions.
Details
- Title
- The lived experience of suffering: a study with Parse's theory and research methodology
- Creators
- John Daly
- Contributors
- Sandra Carol Speedy (Supervisor) - Southern Cross UniversityRosemarie Rizzo Parse (Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Southern Cross University; Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Theses
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Southern Cross University
- Publisher
- Southern Cross University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Centre for Nursing
- Number of pages
- viii, 198
- Identifiers
- 991012958499102368
- Copyright
- © John Daly 1994
- Academic Unit
- School of Health and Human Sciences
- Resource Type
- Thesis