To suffer from chronic disease : A study of the life adjustment after a myocardial infarction

This study aims to highlight the crisis and adjustment process in individuals who suffered myocardial infarction. The research questions focus on the informants’ experiences of the crisis and life adjustment process, and illuminate the coping strategies that the informants describe important. By using a narrative method and applyingthe crisis theory and coping theory as theoretical guidelines, this study endeavors to illuminate individuals' experiences of the disease from their own perspective. The empirical material consists of four life stories gatheredthrough semi-structured interviews. The result indicates general patterns that characterize the course of the diseaseat the same time as individual aspectsof the crisis process are shown, where individual coping strategies have proven necessary through the different phases. The individual aspect on how one cope with crisis seems to depend on personality and life situation. Major life adjustments have proven necessary in the course of the disease. Changes and priorities seem to be revalued through the different phases, along with a greater appreciation for life. Importance of social support is being emphasized; however the most important element appears to be their own, personalefforts and transformation