Date of Award
Summer 1995
Document Type
Thesis - Restricted
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Nursing
First Advisor
Kovach, Christine R.
Second Advisor
Wilson, Sarah A.
Third Advisor
Schank, Mary Jane
Abstract
This qualitative study was designed to examine women's experiences with heart disease and their choice to either participate or not participate in a cardiac rehabilitation program. Coronary artery disease is the leading killer of American women. However the overwhelming majority of research regarding coronary artery disease has been conducted with men as subjects. A grounded theory methodology was used to gain insight into women's experiences with coronary artery disease. A semi-structured interview format was used to gather data from ten women. Data analysis was completed by using the process of constant comparative analysis. Data analysis revealed six themes that were subsequently grouped into two categories. Each category consisted of three themes. The first category was Stagnating with an illness and consisted of: (a) dwelling on health problems, (b) dwelling on personal hardships, and (c) inability to describe emotional responses. The second category was Living with an illness and consisted of: (a) return to normalcy, (b) acceptance of status, and (c) moving on. A conceptual framework was provided to help better understand the process of women choosing to participate or not participate in a cardiac rehabilitation program.
Recommended Citation
Overmoyer, Gorica, "Cardiac Rehabilitation: Womens' Experience and Participation" (1995). Master's Theses (1922-2009) Access restricted to Marquette Campus. 3755.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/theses/3755