The effects of endometriosis on South African women's perceived quality of life.
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Date
2005
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Abstract
Endometriosis is a painful and debilitating chronic gynaecological condition experienced by
women in their reproductive years. This illness impacts on their fertility rate and on their
general quality of life. Current research into the lived experience and perceived quality of life
of women living with Endometriosis is lacking. Considering the prevalence of this condition,
an understanding of women's lived experiences and the processes from which meaning is
generated is essential to assist women and their families in coping with Endometriosis. Illness
representation theory provided some insight into the meaning making processes involved in
understanding and coping with a chronic illness. A phenomenological study was conducted
to explore women with Endometriosis' lived experiences and the pervasiveness of this
condition in terms of their perceived quality of life. I argued that dynamic relationships exist
between the women's personal, social and medical worlds and that these interactions provide
the context for the creation of women's lived experiences of Endometriosis.
Description
Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2005.
Keywords
Endometriosis--South Africa., Theses--Psychology.