A Phenomenological Approach to the Experience of Spousal Carers of People with Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore and understand spouses’ experience of caring for patients with multiple sclerosis from their perspective. This study obtained information through in-depth interviews with six spouses of patients with multiple sclerosis. With the permission of the participants, the interviews were recorded with the digital recorder and transcribed. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and observations until saturation occurred. The interviews were analysed according to the constant comparative method used in Giorgi’s phenomenological research method. The study derived 7 categories and 21 themes. These categories were characterized as follows: ‘struggling against endless disease’, ‘confronting broken life with pain‘, ’marital relationship in crisis’, ‘despair no choice but to take in and disappeared hope’, ‘finding benefits in darkness of life’, ‘encouraging myself with finding an exit’ and ‘for being together, enduring severe burden". The findings of the study will be useful in seeking an effective social welfare policy and clinical social work intervention plan.