The dark corner of the heart - understanding and embracing suffering as portrayed by adults.

BACKGROUND

Suffering profoundly touches the human being's inner existence. The different faces of suffering may yet be unknown, and therefore, it is important to further explore suffering in order to reach a new and deeper understanding of it and its alleviation.

THE AIM AND RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The aim of this study was to expand the understanding of suffering. The research questions are what is suffering as described by the human beings themselves and what initiates a movement in suffering towards its alleviation?

RESEARCH DESIGN, PARTICIPANTS AND RESEARCH CONTEXT: The study uses a hermeneutical approach and hermeneutical reading. The material consists of interviews with adults who had lived through suffering and regained health.

ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

The data storage, study participation and handling of data for research purposes were approved by the participants when they provided their informed consent.

FINDINGS

Suffering is portrayed as a deep darkness. The suffering human being is filled with hopelessness and meaninglessness and feels homeless in life. There is often a hidden inner longing in the midst of suffering that may be uncovered.

CONCLUSION

Embracing the dark corner of the heart, the suffering, provides the keys for initiating a movement towards its alleviation and implications for how to encounter a suffering human being, for example within different caring contexts.