Open Access, Peer-reviewed
eISSN 2093-758X
    J Korean Acad Nurs. 2011 Apr;41(2):225-235. Korean.
    Published online Apr 30, 2011.
    https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2011.41.2.225
    © 2011 Korean Society of Nursing Science
    Original Article

    Psychosocial Adjustment of Low-Income Koreans with Cancer

    Myungsun Yi,1 Eun Young Park,2 Dal Sook Kim,3 Young Sook Tae,4 Bok Yae Chung,5 and Hyang Sook So6
      • 1Professor, College of Nursing, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
      • 2Assistant Professor, Nursing Science Department, Gachon University, Incheon, Korea.
      • 3Professor, School of Nursing, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Korea.
      • 4Professor, College of Nursing, Kosin University, Busan, Korea.
      • 5Professor, College of Nursing, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea.
      • 6Professor, College of Nursing, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Korea.
    • Address reprint requests to: Park, Eun Young. Nursing Science Department, Gachon University, 534-2 Yeonsu 3-dong, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 406-799, Korea. Tel: +82-32-820-4207, Fax: +82-32-820-4201, Email: parkeunyoung@gachon.ac,kr
    Received August 21, 2010; Accepted April 15, 2011.

    Abstract

    Purpose

    To describe psychosocial adjustment of low-income Koreans who have cancer.

    Methods

    Data were collected during 2008 using individual in-depth interviews with 18 Korean people with cancer. The income status of the participants was low, 11 were recipients of the National Basic Livelihood Protection program. Mean age was 58.3 yr and 11 were female. Five participants had stomach cancer, five, colorectal cancer, and four, breast cancer. Data were analyzed using grounded theory methodology.

    Results

    The core category emerged as 'bearing up alone with double suffering'. 'Poverty and cancer: A double suffering' emerged as a causal condition. The adjustment process consisted of three stages: 'forming a treatment will to live' ,'practicing for the cure',and 'restructuring self and repaying favors'. Each stage indicated action-interaction strategies which were employed to bear up alone with double suffering during the illness process. Self-reflection, parental responsibility, and support from the public sector played important roles in overcoming the double suffering. Two types of consequences were identified: Transcended life and strained life suppressed by poverty and cancer.

    Conclusion

    The results provide insights into the psychosocial adjustment process for low income Korean with cancer and can be used in developing and implementing efficient home-care services for these people.

    Keywords
    Poverty; Neoplasms; Social adjustment; Psychosocial aspect; Qualitative research

    Figures

    Figure 1
    Process of psychosocial adjustment in low-income Koreans with cancer.

    Tables

    Table 1
    Relationships among Categories using Paradigm Model

    References

      1. Aarts MJ, Lemmens VE, Louwman MW, Kunst AE, Coebergh JW. Socioeconomic status and changing inequalities in colorectal cancer? A review of the associations with risk, treatment and outcome. European Journal of Cancer 2010;46:2681–2695.
      1. Barton-Burke M, Smith E, Frain J, Loggins C. Advanced cancer in underserved populations. Seminars in Oncology Nursing 2010;26:157–167.
      1. Blumer H. In: Symbolic interactionism. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Pre-ntice-Hall; 1969.
      1. Cho H, Son J, Hur J, Jin E. A study on demand and the supply for home-based cancer patient management projects of public health centers. Korean Journal of Hospice Care 2007;10:195–201.
      1. Hughes A, Gudmundsdottir M, Davies B. Everyday struggling to survive: Experiences of the urban poor living with advanced cancer. Oncology Nursing Forum 2007;34:1113–1118.
      1. Hur HK, Kim DR, Kim DH. The relationships of treatment side effects, family support, and quality of life in patient with cancer. Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing 2003;33:71–78.
      1. Hwang SY. An exploratory analysis of the existential experiences of women with cancer. Journal of Korean Neuropsychiatric Association 2006;45:554–564.
      1. Kim H, Kwon J, Lim J, Lee R, Lee K. Posttraumatic growth and related factors in breast cancer survivors. Korean Journal of Health Psychology 2008;13:781–799.
      1. Lee E. A Qualitative research on the working poor's lived experiences: Grounded theory analysis. Social Welfare Policy 2008;34:331–356.
      1. Lee HY. Qualitative research on public assistance recipients experiencing social exclusion. Korean Social Security Studies 2009;25(1):281–315.
      1. Lee SH, Kim J, Lee H, Kang NM, Kim H, Lee E, et al. A grounded-theory approach to the process of life adaptation in women with cervical cancer. Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing 2004;10:32–41.
      1. Lee TW, Ko I, Lee K, Kang K. Health status, health perception, and health promotion behaviors of low-income community dwelling elderly. Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing 2005;35:252–261.
      1. Lee YD. In: Mind: KBS special project document. Seoul: Yedam; 2006.
      1. Special support for cancer patients: Self medical payment 5%: The Hot News. Ministry of Health and Welfare. 2010 Aug [Retrieved September 1, 2010].
        from http://mw.korea.kr/gonews/branch.
      1. Moadel AB, Morgan C, Dutcher J. Psychosocial needs assessment among an underserved, ethically diverse cancer patient population. Cancer 2007;109:446–454.
      1. National Cancer Center. Cancer facts & figures 2009. Seoul: Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs; 2009 Jul.
      1. Cancer mortality 2008. National Cancer Information Center. 2010a [Retrieved August 10, 2010].
        from http://www.cancer.go.kr/cms/statics/mortality/index.html.
      1. Cancer prevalence 2007. National Cancer Information Center. 2010b [Retrieved August 10, 2010].
        from http://www.cancer.go.kr/cms/statics/can_in_lif/index.html.
      1. Park EY, Yi M. Illness experience of women with breast cancer in Korea: Using feminist phenomenology. Journal of Korean Academy of Adult Nursing 2009;21:504–518.
      1. Park JS, Oh YJ. An analysis of cancer symptoms, perceived health status, and given nursing services for community dwelling cancer patients who are registered in a public health center. Journal of Korean Oncology Nursing 2010;10:48–58.
      1. Park M, Kim K. Cancer survivors' life experience. Journal of Korean Oncology Nursing 2008;8:93–104.
      1. Sandelowski M. The problem of rigor in qualitative research. Advances in Nursing Science 1986;8(3):27–37.
      1. Sobrino J. In: Spirituality of liberation: Toward political holiness. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books; 1988.
      1. Soothill K, Morris SM, Thomas C, Harman JC, Francis B, McIllmurray MB. The universal, situational, and personal needs of cancer patients and their main carers. European Journal of Oncology Nursing 2003;7:5–13.
      1. Strauss A, Corbin J. In: Basic of qualitative research: Techniques and procedures for developing grounded theory. 2nd ed. Thousand CA: Sage Publications; 1998.
      1. Tae YS. In: Hope phenomenon of Korean cancer patients. Seoul: Ewha Womans University; 1994.
        Unpublished doctoral dissertation.
      1. Tae YS, Kang ES, Lee MH, Park GJ. The relationship among perceived social support, hope and quality of life of cancer patients. Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing 2001;4:219–231.
      1. Williams BR. Dying young, dying poor: A sociological examination of existential suffering among low-socioeconomic status patients. Journal of Palliative Medicine 2004;7:27–37.
      1. Yang J. The actual experiences of the living world among cancer patients. Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing 2008;38:140–151.
      1. Yun EH, Lim MK, Oh J, Shin A, Sung J, Park E. Combined effect of socioeconomic status, viral hepatitis, and lifestyles on hepatocelluar carcinoma risk in Korea. British Journal of Cancer 2010;103:741–746.
    Cited by
    Crossref 10
    Google Scholar 
    PubMed Central 2
    Scopus 5
    Web of Science 6
    MeSH Terms
    Adaptation, Psychological*
    Aged
    Depression
    Female
    Humans
    Interviews as Topic
    Male
    Middle Aged
    Neoplasms/psychology*
    Poverty
    Republic of Korea
    Social Support
    Stress, Psychological
    Metrics
    Share
    Links to
    Figures
    slide

    1 / 1

    Tables
    slide

    1 / 1

    PERMALINK