Abstract:
Long Covid is a chronic illness resulting from Covid-19 infection, characterized by persistent symptoms over an extended period. Given the significant impact on affected individuals’ lives, it is crucial to understand and interpret their experiences. Therefore, comprehending how affected individuals understand, manage, and derive meaning from their lives becomes essential.
Antonovsky’s Sense of Coherence (SOC) theory (1987), compromising Comprehensibility, Manageability, and Meaningfulness, can serve as a foundation for this exploration. SOC is shaped by life experiences and aids in finding effective coping strategies. However, the expression of SOC among people with long Covid has not yet been studied. Therefore, this study examines how people with long Covid negotiate the three SOC components in illness narratives.
Thematic analysis of 34 online collected illness narratives from Dutch individuals with long Covid revealed 13 themes interpreted in relation to SOC components. The findings include three themes that were interpreted as reflecting the Comprehensibility component, displaying an understanding of long Covid and its’ impact, and experiences of social support.
Three themes fall under Manageability by describing maintaining control and normality through seeking professional help and adapting to the new state of health. Meaningfulness was characterized by two themes, expressing recognition of values and a sense of direction for maintaining motivation in recovery. Five themes were interpreted as barriers to SOC components, as participants mentioned experiencing misunderstanding and invalidations, medical and public uncertainty, relinquishing enjoyable activities, and struggles in progress and illness acceptance. These results can enhance understanding of long Covid among individuals and assist healthcare practitioners tailor interventions to their specific needs.
Source: Estelle Gosch. Exploring the Complexities of Long Covid: An Analysis of Illness Narratives through Antonovsky’s Sense of Coherence Theory. Master Thesis Positive Clinical Psychology and Technology, Department of Psychology, Health, and Technology, Faculty Behavioural, Management, and Social Sciences, University of Twente. http://essay.utwente.nl/95672/1/Gosch_MA_BMS.pdf (Full text)