Facing death alone and in isolation
A phenomenological study with survivors of Covid-19
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 12097124 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Andrea Rodríguez‐Prat (0000-0001-6382-243X, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, corresponding author), Andrea Rodríguez-Prat (Universitat Internacional de Catalunya), Aina García-Salanova (0009-0004-9856-2542, Department of Nursing; School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya), Joaquim Julià-Torras (0000-0002-1462-3167, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya), Cristina Monforte‐royo (0000-0001-8334-4623, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya), Cristina Monforte-Royo (Department of Nursing; School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya) |
| Year | 2024 |
| Volume | 50 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pages | 554-564 |
| Publication date | 2024-12-10 |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Death Studies (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0748-1187 • E-ISSN: 1091-7683 |
| Publisher | Taylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/07481187.2024.2437474 |
| PMID | 39655536 |
| OpenAlex | W4405206789 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 24 |
During the early waves of COVID-19, many patients had to be isolated, with some dying alone in hospitals. Understanding the psychological impact of isolation during a potentially life-threatening disease and identifying coping mechanisms can inform future care protocols. This qualitative study aimed to explore the experiences of COVID-19 survivors isolated in hospitals. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 20 individuals who experienced hospital isolation. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using the interpretative phenomenological method. We identified three main themes: (a) the experience of isolation and proximity to death, leading to suffering, loneliness, or sometimes a positive sense of solitude; (b) coping strategies, with some being ineffective (e.g., distraction) and others effective (e.g., acceptance, family contact); and (c) isolation as a catalyst for change, resulting in either lasting sadness or personal growth and reappraisal of life priorities. Health professionals play a crucial role in helping isolated patients manage their experience, minimizing negative effects, and fostering personal growth
Anger · Coping (psychology · Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19 · Disease · Distraction · Infectious disease (medical specialty · Interpretative phenomenological analysis · Isolation (microbiology · Loneliness · Psychotherapist · Qualitative research · Sadness · Social isolation · Sociology · Solitude · Clinical Psychology · COVID-19 and Mental Health · Family and Patient Care in Intensive Care Units · Medicine · Optimism, Hope, and Well-being · Psychology
An overview of systematic reviews on the public health consequences of social isolation and loneliness
Social Capital and Sleep Quality in Individuals Who Self-Isolated for 14 Days During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) Outbreak in January 2020 in China
Progression of Mental Health Services during the Covid-19 Outbreak in China
Lonelier than ever? Loneliness of older people over two decades
Covid-19 and mental health
Death Anxiety and Loneliness among Older Adults
Loneliness and Mortality Among Older Adults in China
Relationships first
Who would want to die like that?” Perspectives on dying alone in a long-term care setting
Naturalistic inquiry
| Highly cited | No |
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