Pregnancy loss in women with systemic lupus erythematosus: Grounded Theory

OBJECTIVE

to learn the meanings attributed to pregnancy loss by women with Lupus.

METHOD

qualitative research, based on Symbolic Interactionism and Grounded Theory. Data collection took place between January and August 2022 through in-depth interviews. Data analysis went through the stages of initial and focused coding.

RESULTS

seventeen women participated. The central phenomenon "The climb to motherhood: falls and overcoming" was constructed, consisting of three categories: "Falling to the ground during the climb: the experience of pregnancy loss"; "Getting up and following the path: new attempts to conceive"; and "Remembering the journey: meanings attributed to pregnancy losses".

FINAL CONSIDERATIONS

experiencing pregnancy is, analogously, like climbing a mountain, where obstacles need to be overcome to reach the summit. The experience of pregnancy loss is seen as complex, especially when there is fragility in healthcare and a lack of awareness regarding feelings of loss and grief.

Men's experience of caring for a family member with cancer: a theory based on data

OBJECTIVE

to understand the meaning attributed by men to the experience of caring for their family member with cancer and to develop a substantive theory that represents the experience of men caring for their family member with cancer.

METHOD

this is qualitative research guided by the methodological framework of Grounded Theory and the precepts of Symbolic Interactionism. A form with identification and interview data was used. The analysis followed the substantive and theoretical coding stages.

RESULTS

12 male caregivers of their family member with cancer participated. The constant comparative analysis of the data allowed the creation of a substantive theory "Experiencing the care of a family member with cancer: men as a caregivers" explaining the experience that has as its central category "The love that drives care", representing the symbolic actions and attitudes of men living in the context of illness due to cancer and care.

CONCLUSION

the theory allowed us to understand feelings, perceptions, ways of acting and facing the diagnosis, providing care, recognizing difficulties and learning from the situations that arise, making explicit the interactional processes and symbolic elements present and how these influence male caregivers in their actions and attitudes.

BACKGROUND

(1) For men, caring is a choice (2) Taking care symbolizes a way of expressing love and reciprocation. (3) Love in caring is strengthened by reciprocity, commitment, gratitude and zeal. (4) To provide care, man reorganizes himself and adjusts to the conditions that present themselves (5) Male caregivers need to be heard and included in the actions of health teams.

Unveiling family relationships based on the context of domestic violence: a Grounded Theory

OBJECTIVE

To understand the meanings attributed to family relationships by women who have experienced domestic violence.

METHOD

Explanatory study using Symbolic Interactionism and Grounded Theory as references. Data were collected from March to November 2021, through online interviews with 23 women found on the social media application Facebook®.

RESULTS

Data analysis allowed the construction of a theoretical model consisting of three processes: "We learned that it was normal to be mistreated": experiencing a context of violence in the family of origin; "I just wanted a family": experiencing partner violence and redefining family relationships in the context of violence.

CONCLUSION

The meanings attributed to family relationships are elaborated and modified according to the interpretation, trajectory of confrontation, and interactions of women with other individuals and objects in the social web, over time. When experiencing domestic violence, women give new meaning to their feelings and begin to attribute new values, emotions, and empathy to family relationships, expanding their understanding of their weaknesses and potential.

Theoretical models: necessary reflections

OBJECTIVE

To present theoretical-methodological reflections on the elaboration, types, and functions of theoretical models as well as their conceptual and analytic frameworks.

METHODS

This is an essay, whose material collection was carried out in a non-systematic way, by electing studies exclusively based on the line of argument and reflection that the authors intend to submit to appreciation and public debate.

RESULTS

We present reflections on the types and functions of theoretical models, theoretical foundations in research, and reflections on the importance of theoretical models for public health research and their relation with the process of elaboration, development, and reporting in scientific studies. In addition, we describe types of theoretical models referring to the conceptual and empirical levels and the important elaboration and description of their combination for scientific practice.

CONCLUSION

With this article, our intention is to stimulate discussions and reflections on current methods that permeate scientific practice and encourage the use of Theoretical Models as a basis for scientific research in its elaboration, development, and reporting process.

Palliative care management by caregivers in home care: theoretical validation in a conversation circle

OBJECTIVES

to present the validation process of a Grounded Theory on the management of palliative care at home by a caregiver of a family member who experiences a death/dying process.

METHODS

a qualitative, explanatory research, which validated a theoretical matrix through a conversation circle containing 15 family caregivers and nine healthcare professionals, in December 2018.

RESULTS

forty-six propositions were validated regarding family caregivers' contextual, causal, intervening conditions, consequences and action strategies to deal with the dying and death process of a family member. Conversation circles encouraged dialogue and (re)signification of the senses and knowledge of those involved, proving to be a way of educating and promoting the exercise of citizenship by participants.

FINAL CONSIDERATIONS

the conversation circle made it possible for participants to interact and share information and experiences regarding home care for palliative patients and their families.

Seeking tirelessly for better health and life conditions for the child with myelomeningocele

OBJECTIVE

to understand the experience of families in the care of children with myelomeningocele.

METHOD

a qualitative research study, which adopted Symbolic Interactionism and Grounded Theory as its theoretical and methodological framework, and the semi-structured interview as a data collection instrument. Twenty-eight participants from thirteen families living in a municipality in the inland of São Paulo took part in the study.

RESULTS

the family tirelessly seeks better health and life conditions for the child with myelomeningocele; aiming at the child's autonomy, it is mobilized to the necessary treatments, to learn the care, to adapt the routine, as well as to supply for all the child's needs so that it reaches potential development, looking for a less dependent future with inclusion and social ascension.

CONCLUSION

family nursing shows potential support in the face of myelomeningocele, due to its ability to apprehend the family system, evaluate it and enable intervention proposals in the care process. In this study, rehabilitation nursing was also emphasized, since it goes together with the child and the family who experience myelomeningocele.