Abstract
ABSTRACT Objective: This study’s principal aim was to describe the lived reality for people with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and other chronic health conditions, who live in economically deprived neighbourhoods in a city in North West England. Methodology: This is a qualitative, exploratory study based on in-depth, semi-structured interviews with participants experiencing compromised cardiovascular health, conducted in August 2017. The study sample comprised 14 adults (3 females) aged 54 to 76. Thematic analysis was used for data analysis, and the biographical disruption concept was used as theoretical reference to explore the results. Wider health inequalities literature supplemented the individual experiences of chronic illness. Results: Four main themes were developed from the data: (1) chronic illness as a disruptive experience; (2) struggling for money; (3) lifestyle and health risks; and (4) reflections on current inequalities. The varied nature of participants’ narratives about their chronic illness indicated that the experience of biographical disruption depends on the wider socioeconomic and cultural factors of the individual. Discussion: This study suggests that biographical disruption theory combined with health inequalities contexts highlights the role of hidden suffering and enhances the understanding of chronic illness experiences and thus informs clinical management, service and public health planning.
Highlights
Bury (1982) established the three key elements of the biographical disruption theory
Chronic illness may be experienced as biographical continuity or flow as a part of an ongoing life story (Faircloth et al, 2004)
Theme 1 was framed by biographical disruption theory (Bury, 1982, 1991)
Summary
Bury (1982) established the three key elements of the biographical disruption theory. These are: an explanation of how illness interrupts the future plans of an individual, including taken-for-granted features; a rethinking of the personal biographies and self-concept; and an attempt to normalize the individuals disrupted life by using material and social resources. Chronic illness may be experienced as biographical continuity or flow as a part of an ongoing life story (Faircloth et al, 2004). Chronic illness could be experienced as a “death sentence”, where life is perceived as already over (biographical abruption) (Locock et al, 2009), while biographical reinstatement reflects normalization of symptoms and integration of illness experience into nor mal life (Sanderson et al, 2011). The biographical work concept has been used to explain symptomless chronic conditions, in which the illness does not provide bodily signs of sickness and disability (Felde, 2011)
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