Living with cystic fibrosis during the COVID-19 pandemic: a social connectedness perspective
Purpose This study explores the concept of social connectedness for adults with Cystic Fibrosis (CF), generally and during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, to help inform contemporary CF healthcare. Social connectedness is an essential component of belonging and refers to an individual’s sense of...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2022-12-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health & Well-Being |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2022.2062820 |
| _version_ | 1827048685936050176 |
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| author | Maggie Harrigan Kellie Bennett Siobhain Mulrennan Melanie Jessup |
| author_facet | Maggie Harrigan Kellie Bennett Siobhain Mulrennan Melanie Jessup |
| author_sort | Maggie Harrigan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Purpose This study explores the concept of social connectedness for adults with Cystic Fibrosis (CF), generally and during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, to help inform contemporary CF healthcare. Social connectedness is an essential component of belonging and refers to an individual’s sense of closeness with the social world. Unique disease factors make exploration of social connectedness pertinent, added to by COVID-19, with the CF population potentially facing increased risk for severe illness. Methods Seventeen adults with CF in Western Australia undertook interviews, with findings categorized as overarching themes. Results In a general sense, participants described social connectedness challenges caused by CF, despite which they reported meaningful connections that benefits their mental and physical health. Within a COVID-19 specific context, participants demonstrated resilience in the face of adversity, highlighted the importance of empathy in relation to the pandemic, and described how social support is both an outcome and enhancer of social connectedness. Conclusions This study contributes to limited social connectedness literature within CF and chronic illness in general, highlighting the importance of social connectedness awareness raising, assessments and interventions in CF healthcare inside and outside the COVID-19 pandemic. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T00:48:21Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d60e5681d4bd4688b60649c19f198d28 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1748-2623 1748-2631 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2025-02-18T15:33:45Z |
| publishDate | 2022-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health & Well-Being |
| spelling | doaj.art-d60e5681d4bd4688b60649c19f198d282024-10-25T13:48:29ZengTaylor & Francis GroupInternational Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health & Well-Being1748-26231748-26312022-12-0117110.1080/17482631.2022.20628202062820Living with cystic fibrosis during the COVID-19 pandemic: a social connectedness perspectiveMaggie Harrigan0Kellie Bennett1Siobhain Mulrennan2Melanie Jessup3UWA Medical School, The University of Western AustraliaUWA Medical School, The University of Western AustraliaUWA Medical School, The University of Western AustraliaThe University of QueenslandPurpose This study explores the concept of social connectedness for adults with Cystic Fibrosis (CF), generally and during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, to help inform contemporary CF healthcare. Social connectedness is an essential component of belonging and refers to an individual’s sense of closeness with the social world. Unique disease factors make exploration of social connectedness pertinent, added to by COVID-19, with the CF population potentially facing increased risk for severe illness. Methods Seventeen adults with CF in Western Australia undertook interviews, with findings categorized as overarching themes. Results In a general sense, participants described social connectedness challenges caused by CF, despite which they reported meaningful connections that benefits their mental and physical health. Within a COVID-19 specific context, participants demonstrated resilience in the face of adversity, highlighted the importance of empathy in relation to the pandemic, and described how social support is both an outcome and enhancer of social connectedness. Conclusions This study contributes to limited social connectedness literature within CF and chronic illness in general, highlighting the importance of social connectedness awareness raising, assessments and interventions in CF healthcare inside and outside the COVID-19 pandemic.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2022.2062820cystic fibrosis (cf)qualitativesocial connectednesscovid-19belongingresiliencesocial supportmental healthchronic illnesswestern australia |
| spellingShingle | Maggie Harrigan Kellie Bennett Siobhain Mulrennan Melanie Jessup Living with cystic fibrosis during the COVID-19 pandemic: a social connectedness perspective International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health & Well-Being cystic fibrosis (cf) qualitative social connectedness covid-19 belonging resilience social support mental health chronic illness western australia |
| title | Living with cystic fibrosis during the COVID-19 pandemic: a social connectedness perspective |
| title_full | Living with cystic fibrosis during the COVID-19 pandemic: a social connectedness perspective |
| title_fullStr | Living with cystic fibrosis during the COVID-19 pandemic: a social connectedness perspective |
| title_full_unstemmed | Living with cystic fibrosis during the COVID-19 pandemic: a social connectedness perspective |
| title_short | Living with cystic fibrosis during the COVID-19 pandemic: a social connectedness perspective |
| title_sort | living with cystic fibrosis during the covid 19 pandemic a social connectedness perspective |
| topic | cystic fibrosis (cf) qualitative social connectedness covid-19 belonging resilience social support mental health chronic illness western australia |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2022.2062820 |
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