Identity and Body in Emerging Adults With Congenital Heart Disease: A Qualitative Exploration.

Abstract

AIM To explore the identity and body experiences of emerging adults with congenital heart disease. DESIGN Qualitative descriptive study. METHODS Narratives from 152 emerging adults about living with congenital heart disease and its impact on their identity and body experiences were analysed using template analysis. An inductive and deductive approach was combined, and the frameworks of illness identity and experience of embodiment were used as a starting point. RESULTS The template analysis generated two primary themes: (1) identity and (2) body, each containing several subthemes. For identity, the subthemes were (1.1) illness identity and (1.2) acknowledgement. For body, the subthemes were (2.1) the dimensions of embodiment and (2.2) the process of embodiment. In addition, the related themes (3) self in light of the other and (4) lack of impact were included. CONCLUSION This study highlights the unique challenges emerging adults with congenital heart disease can encounter regarding their identity and body experiences. IMPLICATIONS FOR PATIENT CARE Patient care would benefit from adopting a more holistic and person-centred approach that fosters positive identity and body experiences in emerging adults with congenital heart disease. IMPACT This study deepens our understanding of how congenital heart disease affects identity and body experiences in emerging adults. Recognising these aspects as crucial to psychological care can facilitate patients in sharing identity and body-related challenges and receiving tailored support. REPORTING METHOD This study adheres to the EQUATOR guidelines and used SRQR as the reporting method.