I denna vetenskapliga essä har jag låtit mina tankar kring livsberättelser, möta författare,filosofer, psykologer och litteraturvetares, tankar om berättelsens makt i individens liv ochskapandet av identitet. Vilka berättelser väljer jag att berätta för andra och hur påverkar deberättelserna synen på mig själv? I denna essä, finns ett smakprov på hur jag i arbetet medindivider, använder mig av traditionella berättelser, som sagor, myter och legender, för attskapa en begriplig ram i en annars oordnad tillvaro. Jag uppmärksammar det faktum att flerasöker lösningar utanför sig själv, på det som tidigare sågs som ett ifrågasättande av livet. Jaghar tagit hjälp av forskning som har studerat förutsättningarna för mitt yrke och sett på mitteget lyssnade i samtal med hjälpsökande i en verksamhet där jag är starkt påverkad avmålstyrning. Hur påverkas mitt förhållningssätt till individen av de inre och yttre faktorerna imitt yrke som coach? Genom att bland annat utgå ifrån ett samtal med en ung kvinna har jagundersökt mitt förhållningssätt till det hon berättar för mig. / In this scientific essay I have let my thoughts on life stories, meet writers, philosophers, psychologists and literary scholars, on the story of power in the life of the individual and thecreation of identity. What stories do I tell others, and how do they affect the stories view ofmyself? In this essay, I give an example of my work with individuals, using traditional stories, as fairy tales, myths and legends, to create a meaningful framework in an otherwise disordered existence. I pay attention to the fact that many are seeking solutions outside themselves, on what previously was seen as a questioning of life. With the assistance of research which have studied the conditions of my own profession and seen from my ownlistening of conversations with individuals seeking aid in situations where I am strongly influenced by performance management. How is my approach to the subject of the internal and external factors in my profession as a coach? By including assumed a conversation with a young woman, I have examined my attitude to what she tells me.

Transverse myelitis (TM) is a rare auto-immune inflammatory disease in which the patient’s immune system attacks their spinal cord resulting in an unpredictable degree of neurologic disability, ranging from complete recovery to quadriplegia. TM patients often experience insufficient assistance towards understanding causes of the illness and have little to depend on in trying to deal with it. This study explores psychological strengths and coping strategies used by TM patients in coping with the illness. A theoretical framework of positive psychology with a strong focus on seven constructs, namely positive coping, searching for meaning, benefit finding, hope, sense of humour, resilience, as well as religion and spirituality is presented. The main data collection strategy for this study was the gathering of stories as a form of conversation. These were subjected to thematic analysis by interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) focused on identifiable themes and patterns of living and behaviour. The emerging patterns and identified fortigenic qualities were then considered, analysed and argued in relation to corresponding coping strategies. A model for the psychological coping and well-being of TM patients, based on emphasising the positive and constructive and considering existing models and strategies for the well-being of patients, was developed. The strategic and therapeutic model is presented in easily understandable language for the benefit of any care-giver (e.g. family member, friend or nurse) or the patient him/herself. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / lk2013 / Psychology / unrestricted