Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to enhance understanding about the lived experience of struggling through a difficult time.

Methods: A qualitative phenomenological-hermeneutic approach was used to answer the research question: What is the lived experience of struggling through a difficult time for Rwandan women surviving the Rwandan genocide? Participants were 12 female survivors of the genocide in Rwanda still living in Rwanda, Africa. Data were collected through engaging in dialogue using a translator who spoke both Kenyarwandan and English. After consent, participants were audio and videotaped. The results were transcribed and analyzed and themes were identified.

Results: The findings of this study enhanced the understanding of the lived experience of struggling through a difficult time. The emerging themes were arduous peril, aching for regard, paralyzing agony, and nurturing affiliations.

Conclusion: The knowledge about struggling through a difficult time and its connection to health and quality of life further informs the practice of nursing. Implications for nursing education, practice and research are presented.

Authors

Geneva Gay Oaks

Author Details

Geneva Gay Oaks, PhD

Sigma Membership

Iota at-Large

Type

Presentation

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

Phenomenology

Research Approach

Qualitative Research

Keywords:

Rwanda, Genocide, Phenomenological

Conference Name

23rd International Nursing Research Congress

Conference Host

Sigma Theta Tau International

Conference Location

Brisbane, Australia

Conference Year

2012

Rights Holder

All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.

All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository.

All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.

Acquisition

Proxy-submission

Share

COinS
 

The lived experience of struggling through a difficult time for women survivors of the Rwandan Genocide

Brisbane, Australia

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to enhance understanding about the lived experience of struggling through a difficult time.

Methods: A qualitative phenomenological-hermeneutic approach was used to answer the research question: What is the lived experience of struggling through a difficult time for Rwandan women surviving the Rwandan genocide? Participants were 12 female survivors of the genocide in Rwanda still living in Rwanda, Africa. Data were collected through engaging in dialogue using a translator who spoke both Kenyarwandan and English. After consent, participants were audio and videotaped. The results were transcribed and analyzed and themes were identified.

Results: The findings of this study enhanced the understanding of the lived experience of struggling through a difficult time. The emerging themes were arduous peril, aching for regard, paralyzing agony, and nurturing affiliations.

Conclusion: The knowledge about struggling through a difficult time and its connection to health and quality of life further informs the practice of nursing. Implications for nursing education, practice and research are presented.