Coping with chronic illness:: a qualitative study of coping with postpolio syndrome

The study describes how 24 people with postpolio syndrome (PPS) cope with their problems. Two qualitative interviews were conducted, 6 weeks apart. The interviews were analysed inductively. It was found that the participants experienced many types of illness-related problems in their everyday lives, Furthermore, they describe the progressive deterioration in terms of a general weakness, fatigue and pain-these adding to the emotional stress. A variety of coping strategies are employed and the result of the analysis shows it to be impossible to carry out a clearly differentiated grouping into problem-focused and emotion-focused. By and large the participants have learnt to live with the changes and feel that they have 'a good life in spite of everything'. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.