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

The study describes how 24 people with postpolio syndrome (PPS) cope with t heir problems. Two qualitative interviews were conducted, 6 weeks apart. Th e 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 gen eral weakness, fatigue and pain-these adding to the emotional stress. A var iety of coping strategies are employed and the result of the analysis shows it to be impossible to carry out a clearly differentiated grouping into pr oblem-focused and emotion-focused. By and large the participants have learn t 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.