QUALITATIVE RESEARCH OF LIFESTYLE LIMITATIONS IN ADULTS WITH CHRONIC ILLNESSES

The paper summarizes the main results and findings concerning lifestyle limitations in persons with chronic illnesses. The research study had the following four objectives: the first objective was to design a specific quality-based methodology to identify lifestyle limitations in people with chronic illnesses. The second objective was to identify, analyse and describe lifestyle limitations in individuals suffering from chronic illnesses. The third objective was to demonstrate that the specific quality-based methodology (verified by a pilot study and research) is applicable to support the 'validity' of the defining characteristics of selected NANDA International nursing diagnoses in a sample of individuals with particular chronic illnesses. The fourth objective was to suggest the author's definition of a 'chronic illness' in connection to lifestyle, which can be used in the field of healthcare and educational research. The main approach conceptualization was performed by an (auto)biographical-narrative method in the form of the descriptive multiple case study design. Data collection was performed by means of the life history method (life curve and life story), semi-structured interview and the Cantril ladder.