Abstract
This study was conducted for the purpose of empirically revealing the theoretical framework of the arising of “Vital feeling”. A Grounded Theory approach was chosen for this research design and analysis. Twenty adult subjects (mean age of 62.7) who experienced thoughts of death when they were ill were interviewed through the use of a semi-structured interview. Continuous comparison analysis was carried out as the themes emerged. Analysis of the interviews revealed three categories of the arising of “Vital feeling”: “Natural body feeling”, “Body feeling of living” and “Body feeling of being here”. Analysis revealed the structure of the arising of “Vital feeling” of which “Living sense”, “Life sense” and “Consciousness of the value of self” formed the central core. “Vital feeling” arises when “Living sense” and/or “Life sense” connect with “Consciousness of the value of self” are noticed as one's feeling shift from a state of subconsciousness to consciousness, or arise on their own. Further analysis revealed “Body feeling of being here” and “Body feeling of living” evolve to “Natural body feeling”. “Natural body feeling” emerged as a core category on the theoretical construct.
The findings suggest the importance of nurses being sensitive not only to their patients' natural body feelings but also to their own.
