UCL Discovery
UCL home » Library Services » Electronic resources » UCL Discovery

The role of ‘social support’ in the experience of fibromyalgia - narratives from South Africa

Cooper, S; Gilbert, L; (2017) The role of ‘social support’ in the experience of fibromyalgia - narratives from South Africa. Health & Social Care in the Community , 25 (3) pp. 1021-1030. 10.1111/hsc.12403. Green open access

[thumbnail of Cooper_and Gilbert 2017. The role of social support in fibromylaiga - narratives from SA.pdf]
Preview
Text
Cooper_and Gilbert 2017. The role of social support in fibromylaiga - narratives from SA.pdf - Accepted Version

Download (371kB) | Preview

Abstract

This paper focuses on the role of ‘social support’ in the experience of fibromyalgia (a musculoskeletal pain disorder) in South Africa. In‐depth semi‐structured interviews were used to collect narratives from 15 participants. Sources of social support constitute important mechanisms for coping with the illness experience of fibromyalgia. In providing a space for consultation and validation of the diagnosis of fibromyalgia, and the person living with the condition, people giving support fulfil a critical role in shaping the experience. The findings show how support from family, partners, and peers plays an integral role in the process of accepting fibromyalgia diagnosis, adapting to the demands of the condition, and seeking help from healthcare providers. The findings also show the ways in which people with fibromyalgia provide support for others with the condition, and the importance of this peer network in shaping the paths and outcomes of this illness experience. The findings of this study corroborate existing evidence that show fibromyalgia to be a complex condition to manage, due to the multiplicity, uncertainty and contestation that feature in the experience of the illness. Additionally, this study presents the challenges related to the limitations of access to healthcare in the South African context, and the utility of narrative approaches in garnering insight into the ways in which social support is harnessed in this environment.

Type: Article
Title: The role of ‘social support’ in the experience of fibromyalgia - narratives from South Africa
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1111/hsc.12403
Publisher version: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/hsc.12403
Language: English
Additional information: This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions.
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > Institute of Epidemiology and Health
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > Institute of Epidemiology and Health > Applied Health Research
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10047306
Downloads since deposit
309Downloads
Download activity - last month
Download activity - last 12 months
Downloads by country - last 12 months

Archive Staff Only

View Item View Item