You are here
Avatar Guided Stories of Ease from Adolescents with Cancer
| Title: | Avatar Guided Stories of Ease from Adolescents with Cancer. |
 145 views 33 downloads |
|---|---|---|
| Name(s): |
Curnan, Laurie Ann, author Liehr, Patricia, Thesis advisor Florida Atlantic University, Degree grantor Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing |
|
| Type of Resource: | text | |
| Genre: | Electronic Thesis Or Dissertation | |
| Date Created: | 2016 | |
| Date Issued: | 2016 | |
| Publisher: | Florida Atlantic University | |
| Place of Publication: | Boca Raton, Fla. | |
| Physical Form: | application/pdf | |
| Extent: | 144 p. | |
| Language(s): | English | |
| Summary: | The overall purpose of this mixed method study was to describe adolescents’ experiences of ease while enduring treatment for cancer. Specifically, the study used avatar image-guided story-sharing (AIGSS) to explore adolescent sense-of-self, experiences of feeling uneasy, descriptions of qualities of ease, and best places for finding ease during treatment. The innovative research approach used in this study incorporated avatar images representing ‘ease’ in typical environments. By testing a developmentally relevant approach, AIGSS, to explore ease for adolescents enduring cancer, this study addressed a pressing need for meaningful approaches to engage adolescents in health-related dialogue about what matters most. While 10 qualities captured adolescent ease (beauty, fun, safety, strength, connectedness, calmness, rest, comfort, independence, and familiarity), connectedness, strength, fun, rest, and safety were the most significant qualities of ease threaded throughout stories. Two themes of self-reflected identity emerged: (a) valued personal qualities (extrinsic/admired) and (b) infused unique demeanors. Three themes described adolescent uneasiness during cancer treatment: (a) persistent uncertainty, (b) fearful anticipation, and (c) disrupted self. While home was most conducive for ease, personal meaning was given to the hospital enabling finding ease. This new knowledge is foundational for nurses who support adolescents during cancer treatment. This research lays the groundwork to re-define ease as a relevant outcome of quality nursing care, focusing on positive outcomes rather than catastrophic ones such as infection and death. Advancing caring science with interactive participative research enhanced communication with adolescents, having implications for both clinical research and pediatric oncology nursing practice. | |
| Identifier: | FA00004582 (IID) | |
| Degree granted: | Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2016. | |
| Collection: | FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection | |
| Note(s): | Includes bibliography. | |
| Subject(s): |
Avatar (Motion picture : 2009) Cancer in adolescence--Psychological aspects. Cancer in adolescence--Social aspects. Video games and children--Therapeutic use. Quality of life. Stress (Psychology) Psychophysiology. |
|
| Held by: | Florida Atlantic University Libraries | |
| Sublocation: | Digital Library | |
| Persistent Link to This Record: | http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004582 | |
| Use and Reproduction: | Copyright © is held by the author, with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder. | |
| Use and Reproduction: | http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ | |
| Host Institution: | FAU | |
| Is Part of Series: | Florida Atlantic University Digital Library Collections. |
