For the love of country ham: a qualitative analysis of cardiac event survivors

Health narratives are an integral part of humanity, with each narrative shaped by the experiences of those around us. Despite the extensive work focused on the importance of health narratives, narratives surrounding those who have experienced a traumatic cardiac event are unique due to the aftercare requirements of many cardiac events. In this thesis, a cardiac event is defined as an event that has caused damage to the heart and required or currently requires medical attention. Individuals who have experienced a cardiac event are often on a different path from those who may have experienced other health trauma. Life after a cardiac event is dependent on the individual, whereas day-to-day health looks different depending on the cardiac event, established lifestyle habits, and motivation and education to succeed. This study explores the narratives of individuals who have experienced a traumatic cardiac event through in-depth qualitative interviews. Using narrative theory and the Meaning-Making Model, this study found that individuals share their health narratives in ways that demonstrate the difficulty of integrating heart healthy lifestyles post-event. Specifically, participants demonstrated how the Meaning-Making Model is a constantly evolving process due to the lifelong commitment to health after a cardiac event. Participants also found tension between information that was given and received regarding their cardiac event.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Alabama Libraries

Year dc:date.issued

2020

Author dc:creator

• Lazenby, Braidyn

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Carmack, Heather J.

Contributors dc:contributor

• LeFebvre, Leah E.
• Pederson, Joshua R.
• Vik, Tennley A.

• Communication
• Health education
• Social research

Statement dc:rights

• All rights reserved by the author unless otherwise indicated.

Language dc:language.iso

en_US, English

Dc Identifier Other

u0015_0000001_0003614
Lazenby_alatus_0004M_14164

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:ir.ua.edu:123456789/7013