Att bli diagnostiserad med en kronisk sjukdom som Multipel Skleros (MS) kan vara förödande både fysiskt och psykiskt. Det beror mycket på hur personen med MS hanterar sin nya situation. Studier visar att det finns många sätt att hantera sjukdomen på. Detta kan sammanfattas som copingfaktorer. Syftet med denna studie var att, baserat på självbiografier, beskriva utmärkande copingfaktorer hos personer med Multipel Skleros. Studien har en kvalitativ ansats och åtta självbiografier lästes och analyserades. Resultatet visar att personer hanterar sin sjukdom på många olika sätt. Utmärkande copingfaktorer sammanfattades i sex teman med underliggande subteman: Få närståendes kärlek, Kunskapstillväxt, Få tala ut, Drivkrafter, Ta emot hjälp och Acceptera det nya livet. Det är av stor vikt att sjuksköterskor och övrig sjukvårdspersonal ökar sin kunskap om copingfaktorer för att få en ökad förståelse för personer med MS och därmed lättare kunna identifiera var extra kraft ska läggas. / To be diagnosed with a chronic disease like Multiple Sclerosis (MS) can be devastating both physically and psychologically. Much depends on how well the person with MS can handle the situation. Studies show that there are many different ways to handle the disease, this can be summarized as coping-factors. The aim of this study was describe salience coping-factors in persons with Multiple Sclerosis based on self-biographies. The study has a qualitative approach and eight self-biographies were read and analyzed. The result shows that people handle their disease in different ways. Salience coping-factors where summarized into themes. Six themes with subthemes were created; to get relatives love, to achieve knowledge, to talk out, driving forces, to accept help and to accept the new life. It is of great importance that medical staff increases their knowledge about coping-factors to achieve a greater understanding for persons with MS. Therefore it is easier to know what areas to prioritize.

<p>Att bli diagnostiserad med en kronisk sjukdom som Multipel Skleros (MS) kan vara förödande både fysiskt och psykiskt. Det beror mycket på hur personen med MS hanterar sin nya situation. Studier visar att det finns många sätt att hantera sjukdomen på. Detta kan sammanfattas som copingfaktorer. Syftet med denna studie var att, baserat på självbiografier, beskriva utmärkande copingfaktorer hos personer med Multipel Skleros. Studien har en kvalitativ ansats och åtta självbiografier lästes och analyserades. Resultatet visar att personer hanterar sin sjukdom på många olika sätt. Utmärkande copingfaktorer sammanfattades i sex teman med underliggande subteman: Få närståendes kärlek, Kunskapstillväxt, Få tala ut, Drivkrafter, Ta emot hjälp och Acceptera det nya livet. Det är av stor vikt att sjuksköterskor och övrig sjukvårdspersonal ökar sin kunskap om copingfaktorer för att få en ökad förståelse för personer med MS och därmed lättare kunna identifiera var extra kraft ska läggas.</p> / <p>To be diagnosed with a chronic disease like Multiple Sclerosis (MS) can be devastating both physically and psychologically. Much depends on how well the person with MS can handle the situation. Studies show that there are many different ways to handle the disease, this can be summarized as coping-factors. The aim of this study was describe salience coping-factors in persons with Multiple Sclerosis based on self-biographies. The study has a qualitative approach and eight self-biographies were read and analyzed. The result shows that people handle their disease in different ways. Salience coping-factors where summarized into themes. Six themes with subthemes were created; to get relatives love, to achieve knowledge, to talk out, driving forces, to accept help and to accept the new life. It is of great importance that medical staff increases their knowledge about coping-factors to achieve a greater understanding for persons with MS. Therefore it is easier to know what areas to prioritize.</p>

People with disabilities are likely to experience difficulties overcoming the impact of natural disasters. Few scholars have focused on this population's ability to recover and handle stress following a natural disaster. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore and describe coping strategies and resilience factors that people with physical or mental disabilities used in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Resilience theory was used as the theoretical framework. Through face-to-face interviews, 10 persons with disabilities shared their experiences of coping and resilience. A lens of interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to identify emergent themes related to persons with disabilities' experiences of overcoming challenges and sustaining wellbeing in the aftermath of this natural disaster. According to study results, religion, recreation, and relaxation techniques were the main coping strategies used, and self-determination and independent skills were resilience factors that helped persons with disabilities remain positive and overcome challenges following the hurricane. Participants reported experiencing emotional reactions and identified the dislocation as the greatest stressor. The findings of this study have the potential to effect positive social change by informing stakeholders such as policymakers, community, and state agencies, and related professionals to help them recognize and address the health and psychological needs of persons with disabilities following a hurricane. Knowing which coping strategies and resilience factors persons with disabilities use to create awareness of the positive ways in which persons with disabilities manage the aftermath of this natural disaster.

People with disabilities are likely to experience difficulties overcoming the impact of natural disasters. Few scholars have focused on this population's ability to recover and handle stress following a natural disaster. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore and describe coping strategies and resilience factors that people with physical or mental disabilities used in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Resilience theory was used as the theoretical framework. Through face-to-face interviews, 10 persons with disabilities shared their experiences of coping and resilience. A lens of interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to identify emergent themes related to persons with disabilities' experiences of overcoming challenges and sustaining wellbeing in the aftermath of this natural disaster. According to study results, religion, recreation, and relaxation techniques were the main coping strategies used, and self-determination and independent skills were resilience factors that helped persons with disabilities remain positive and overcome challenges following the hurricane. Participants reported experiencing emotional reactions and identified the dislocation as the greatest stressor. The findings of this study have the potential to effect positive social change by informing stakeholders such as policymakers, community, and state agencies, and related professionals to help them recognize and address the health and psychological needs of persons with disabilities following a hurricane. Knowing which coping strategies and resilience factors persons with disabilities use to create awareness of the positive ways in which persons with disabilities manage the aftermath of this natural disaster.