Medical Magazine

The aim of this longitudinal study was to explore 10 patients’ experiences of the meaning they attribute to the substance of hope and the process of hoping during the first 3 to 4 years following a spinal cord injury. This qualitative study is a synthesis of three empirical studies of hope and the overall aim was to deepen the understanding of the phenomenon of hope, based on the text representing the main contextual findings, to develop a theoretical framework on hope within a context of spinal cord injury, illustrated in the conceptual model. In correspondence with Ricoeur, this conceptual model, which was developed from a new understanding, based on a new text of the phenomenon of hope, develops a new and deeper understanding of the meaning of hope. Findings revealed 9 themes: universal hope, uncertain hope, hope as a turning point, the power of hope, boundless creative and flexible hope, enduring hope, despairing hope, body-related hope, and existential hope. The conceptual model was derived from these themes, illustrated as The Battle between Hoping and Suffering and The Road of Hope. The interpretations also revealed a distinction between being in hope and having hope, and having a hope of improvements was the main focus at the early stage of rehabilitation, whereas being in hope as being just fine was the main focus after 3 to 4 years of rehabilitation.

Lohne,V
The Faculty of Nursing, Oslo University College, Oslo, Norway. Vibeke.Lohne@su.hio.no

This study explored the 5 subconcepts (empowerment, flexible environment, personal knowledge, reflection, and social norms) of the Wittmann-Price Theory of Emancipated Decision Making (EDM) in women’s healthcare, a theoretical model. Pain management for labor was the clinical exemplar. The correlation of EDM and satisfaction with the decision (SWD) was measured, and flexible environment was the subscale with the highest mean score. There was a significant relationship between EDM and SWD (r = 0.70, P < .001). Personal knowledge and flexible environment were the best predictors of satisfaction. This study advances the theory of EDM for the nursing care of women.

Wittmann-Price,RA　Bhattacharya,A
College of Nursing and Health Professions, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA.

This historical study analyzes 2 disasters in Texas in the early 20th century: the 1937 school explosion in New London and the 1947 Texas City ship explosion. Disaster narratives and commemoration activities are examined as means of healing and restoration after a catastrophic event. Specifically, this article discusses contextual factors of time and place, Coastal and East Texas between 1937 and 1947, and shows how these factors shaped the ways in which people made sense of their disaster experiences. This included not only the influence of geography but also economics, social position, racial characterizations, and religious beliefs. The article also considers conflicting and biased factors that can occur regarding time and place and how these factors influenced narrative constructions.

Wall,BM
University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia 19104, USA. wallbm@nursing.upenn.edu

People recovering from addiction to alcohol or drugs often acknowledge the need for complete change in life pattern orientation in a journey toward healing. Serenity is the hallmark of recovery according to the tenets of 12-step programs, but little is known about the actual experience of serenity in healing from addiction. From a perspective of unitary pattern appreciation and a method of unitary appreciative inquiry, this study explored the experience of serenity among 9 people recovering from alcohol and/or drug addiction. Results are portrayed in both individual and group profiles, depicted in a format that integrates empirical findings as poetry.

Rushing,AM
Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA 30460, USA. alison r0022@yahoo.com

Childhood maltreatment and its consequences are a public health issue. There continues to be a need for improving the lives and life prospects for survivors of child abuse. The important role that positive interactions can play was evident in a large study of women who considered themselves successful despite maltreatment. Interactions of import ranged from brief encounters with strangers to enduring relationships. Two distinct motifs emerged: The “Saw something in me” and “No matter what” relationships. Findings will be discussed within the context of extant theories with possible implications for researchers, practitioners, and careful, caring adults in any setting.

Roman,MW　Hall,JM　Bolton,KS
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA.