Thesis (DPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This qualitative study comprised an in-depth investigation into the subjective - the explicitly
human - experience of those suffering from Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME). I was, firstly,
concerned with the nature and meaning of the social side of illness, that is, the sufferer's
encounters with doctor, family member, friend and acquaintance alike. I was, secondly, set
to develop greater insight into the essentially personal experience of being ill. I was able to
conclude that, even amidst the inhumane presence of utter ignorance that permeate the very
experience of ME, no ME sufferer is inevitably doomed a victim. They can always make a
deliberate decision to have a say in their situation, in their own experience of their
circumstances. They have the power of personal choice. Recommendations are, therefore,
directed at expanding the potential extent and magnitude of this dynamic power.
The substantive focus of my study was enriched by a deliberate concern with the
methodological implications of my own intimate involvement within the research process. I
was here primarily concerned with my personal contribution to the research process as well
as the influence thereof on the research relationships developed and the research strategies
chosen and applied. I could not but conclude that the understanding I explicate is, as all
social science theory, essentially a human construction, developed by me, in my distinctly
human capacity. Recommendations are, therefore, geared to sensitise all social researchers
to their own contribution to the construction of that which is eventually presented (and taken)
as truthful knowl~dge.
In conclusion, I am thoroughly convinced that the experience of both illness and research is
fundamentally human. This "humanness" cannot and should not be denied. Instead, I
advocate a more deliberate focus on the human dimension of illness and research. Without
such a focus, a more comprehensive understanding of either realm will continue to linger as
but an elusive ideal. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie kwalitatiewe studie is gebaseer op 'n in-diepte ondersoek gerig op die subjektiewe -
die onteenseglik menslike - ervaring van diegene wat ly aan Myaligië Enkefalomiëlitis
(ME). Ek was, eerstens, geïnteresseerd in die aard en betekenis van die sosiale dimensie van
siekte, dit wil sê, die lyer se ervaring van sosiale kontak met dokters, gesinslede, vriende en
kennisse. Ek was, tweedens, gerig op die ontwikkeling van 'n grondige insig in die uiters
persoonlike ervaring van siek-wees. Ek het tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat, selfs te midde
van die onmenslike teenwoordigheid van blatante onkunde wat die ganse ervaring van ME
kenmerk, geen ME lyer noodwendig tot 'n slagoffer-status gedoem is nie. Hulle kan altyd 'n
doelbewuste besluit neem om 'n sê te hê in hul eie situasie, in hul eie ervaring van hul
omstandighede. Hulle het die mag van persoonlike keuse. Aanbevelings is dus daarop gerig
om die potentiële trefwydte en impak van hierdie dinamiese mag uit te brei.
Die substantiewe dimensie van my studie is verryk deur 'n doelbewuste fokus op die
metodologiese implikasies van my eie intieme betrokkenheid in die navorsingsproses. Ek
was hoofsaaklik gemoeid met my persoonlike bydrae tot die navorsingsproses en die invloed
daarvan op die ontwikkel van navorsingsverhoudings en die toepassing van gekose
navorsingstrategieë. Hierdie fokus het gelei tot die besef dat die beskrywing wat ek aanbied,
soos inderdaad alle sosiale teorie, essensieël 'n menslike konstruksie is, soos ontwikkel deur
my, in my uitdruklik menslike kapasiteit. Aanbevelings is dus daarop gerig om alle sosiale
navorsers te sensitiseer ten opsigte van hul eie bydrae tot die konstruksie van dit wat
uiteindelik voorgestel (en geag) word as die waarheidsgetroue kennis.
In slotsom, is ek oortuig dat die ervaring van beide siekte en navorsing fundamenteel menslik
is. Hierdie "mensheid" kan en behoort nie ontken te word nie. Inteendeel, ek bepleit 'n
doelbewuste fokus op die menslike dimensie van siekte en navorsing. Sonder só 'n fokus sal
'n meer diepgaande begrip van iedere area bloot 'n onbereikbare ideaal bly.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/50051 |
| Date | 04 1900 |
| Creators | Lombaard, Ansie |
| Contributors | Mouton, J., Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Sociology and Social Anthropology. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | en_ZA |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | ix, 514 pages : illustrations |
| Rights | Stellenbosch University |
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