Study

Review type

Methods

Key findings relating to psychological adaptation, emotion and hope

Soundy et al. [2]

Systematic review and thematic synthesis

Total number of studies: 47

Chronic illnesses included: Multiple sclerosis

Total included participants: 1146 (812 females, 265 males, and 69 unknown)

Average age: 49 years (30/47 studies)

Average time since diagnosis: 12.3 years (28/47 studies)

Adaptation Related Reponses

Adaptive responses related to a spectrum of response around the concept of acknowledgement, from transcendence or embracement to rejection or denial.

Hope Responses

Full spectrum of hope related responses were identified around the concept of hope, from concrete or certain hope to no hope or an inability to hope.

Emotional Response

Identifiable distinct emotional states were documented. This illustrated a spectrum of emotions expressed by participants.

Key emotions associated with hope and adaptive responses. There was a prevalence of pleasant activated responses and unpleasant de-activated response identified.

Soundy et al. [5]

Meta-ethnography

Total number of studies: 10

Chronic illnesses included: Spinal cord injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis

Total included participants: 102

Aggregated age: not given.

Aggregated time since diagnosis: not given.

Adaptation Related Reponses

Acceptance was identified as central concept to well-being where extreme expressions of adaptation focus on rejection or denial related responses. Hope as a paradox (see below) could also illustrate adaptive responses.

Hope Responses

Hope described in different ways; (1) as a dichotomy from no hope to concrete hope, (2) as a paradox (the expression of hope contains and is associated with acceptance and simultaneously defiance), which contained loss related expressions, hope as possibility and active hope or hopes relating to challenges. (3) Hope as transcendence was identified where embracement of what happens occurs and/or changes in patients’ values. Different factors can influence hope, including environmental, internal or social.

Emotional Response

Emotions associated with hope and adaptation responses. Emotional response may be less after time.

Soundy and Condon [9]

Systematic review with thematic synthesis

Total number of studies: 29

Chronic illnesses included: Motor Neurone Disease

Total included participants: 342 patients diagnosed with MND (175 male, 117 female, 50 unknown)

Aggregated age: not reported.

Aggregated time since diagnosis: not reported.

Adaptation Related Reponses

Association between hope, adaptation and coping was identified. Acceptance was identified as a critical response and related spectrum adaptation responses were identified. Self-determined responses were distinguished from disease controlling responses within a model of hope enablement.

Hope Responses

Model of hope enablement established with succumbing response and coping responses implicated. Critical factors that influence hope/hopelessness identified including; interactions and relationships, internal psychological factors and negative emotions. A hope spectrum response was identified. Generalised and particularised hopes identified. Hope responses linked to coping responses.

Emotional Response

Shock related emotions identified and associated with adaptive responses and hope related responses of individuals.

Soundy et al. [10]

Narrative review

Total number of studies: 10

Chronic illnesses included: Stroke

Total included participants: 110 (44 male, 68 female)

Aggregated age: not given.

Aggregated time since diagnosis: not given.

Adaptation Related Reponses

The paradox of chronic illness identified the spectrum of adaptive expressions.

Hope Responses

Spectrum of hope related responses identified as well as responses relating to the paradox of chronic illness. A generalised hope framework was identified. Factors that influence hope/hopelessness including environmental, political, internal and psychological as well as social identified.

Emotional Response

Shock related emotions identified and associated with hope and adaptation.