Exploring the social construction of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

grantor: University of TorontoA social constructionist perspective was used to investigate the experience and meaning of illness for the individual living with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Twenty-three persons with COPD were interviewed, and data were analyzed using a modified Grounded theory method. The major findings suggest that COPD has acute and chronic aspects to its illness course. There exist two pre-trajectories. Common to both COPD pretrajectories is the absence of the notion of chronic illness. These pretrajectory phases correspond to the early stage of the disease course. However, individuals with COPD do not acknowledge a chronic illness process. This shapes their response to illness, expectations and coping abilities. It also makes this group, among chronic illnesses, uniquely suited to sick role adoption. The findings of this study served to extend the literature on the illness experience of COPD, and chronic illness. In the thesis recommendations are made for practice and future research.M.Sc