Finding meaning in illness through values clarification, new learning, strengthening growth that had already begun, or reviewing past decisions and beliefs had some similarities to Moch’s (1998) theory of health within illness. She described “illness as an opportunity for health” (p. 24). Examples of ways she believed one might demonstrate health within illness are: feeling closer to family; finding inner peace; experiencing greater spiritual dimensions; feeling a greater aliveness and connectedness with the whole; learning about one’s self; and having the opportunity to reflect on the meaningfulness of life.
The concepts relate very closely to the theme of Evolving Beyond. Many of the major nursing theories discussed the idea of growing through illness. Rogers (2001) described man as continuously changing from lower to higher frequency wave patterns with increasingly diversity. This way of conceptualizing man attempts to depict man in constant process from lower function to higher functioning. The movement is always toward great diversity. In other words, man is always evolving. These changes are occurring in health or illness. Fitzpatrick (1989) viewed health as continuously developing, so awareness.
Like Rogers, Fitzpatric described man as evolving continuously and irreversibly whether sick or well. Newman (1996) considered illness as a manifestation of the total pattern of the individual and therefore an aspect of health. Travelbee (1996) identified illness as an opportunity to find meaning and to move a higher level of functioning. She saw illness and suffering as part of life and growth experiences. Parse (2001) considered health, among other things, as choosing lived values. Like Rogers, she described man as continuously growing toward greater complexity and that health is possible during illness.
Chick and Meleis (1996) discussed illness as a transition with a chance of experiencing a new beginning. In identifying four models of human health, Smith (1996) labelled the most complex model Eudaemonistic. Health in this model process of actualizing or realizing one’s potential. Disease could impede or prevent self-actualization. Further clarifying, Smith defined actualization as continues growth through new experiences. This would imply growth and therefore health is possible through any experiences including illness. Other theorists have been discussed in Chapter II under “meaning through illness.
” Dossey (1994), Siegel (1996), and Jaffe (1990) all believed there was a potential for self-renewal and greater understanding after illness. Jaffe described self-renewal as a rare response by special people. As all the participants in this study experienced some self-renewal, these results contradict Jaffe’s hypothesis that this is a rare response. Narayan and Joslin (1990) and Aguilera (1990) believed the crisis of illness was an opportunity for growth. Evolving Beyond was often supported in general but no literature was found to support specific subthemes such as “test of expectations” and “purpose.
” The conceptualization of spiritual healing as described in Chapter I include ideas about the meaning of illness, as well as an awareness of the greater meaning of life. Evolving Beyond included these ideas. Participants discussed their own spirituality but it did not usually change as a result of this experiences as was though to happen in the spiritual healing conceptualization. The participants who were aware of their spiritual view used these beliefs to clarify the meaning of this healing experiencing.