The Lived Experiences of Middle Eastern Immigrant Women During Their Cancer Survivorship Journey: A Phenomenological Study

Authors

Enam Alsrayheen, Nova Scotia Health AuthorityFollow
khaldoun Aldiabat, Cape Breton UniversityFollow
Catherine Aquino-Russell, University of New BrunswickFollow

Abstract

The number of Middle Eastern immigrant women (MEIW) living in Canada has significantly increased. However, this group of women is underrepresented in health research and there is a gap in knowledge of their cancer survivorship experiences in Canada. This phenomenological qualitative approach was employed to uncover the meaning of the lived experiences of MEIW during their cancer survivorship journey (CSJ). Data were collected through unstructured interviews and one written description from three MEIW. The participants' perspectives of cancer risk factors were believed to be the cause of their cancer, and their CSJ was fear-inducing and anxiety-provoking. There appears to be similar and homogenous lived experiences among the participants. Participants showed that their own cancer survivorship experiences were shaped by mutual contributions from different factors and circumstances. Importantly, when they talked about their experiences, they related their personal, familial, cultural and immigrational, gender, economics, social support, self-image, and other associated factors that contributed to their illness and wellness. Healthcare professionals need to identify immigrant women's unmet needs of support and psychosocial responses during their CSJ. Language-specific and culturally competent cancer-care intervention programs need development within the Canadian healthcare system.

Keywords

lived experience, Immigrant women, qualitative approach, cancer, Middle Eastern, phenomenology, women

Author Bio(s)

Dr. Enam A. Alsrayheen (ORCID: 0000-0002-2168-948x) is a Research Associate at the Research, Innovation, and Discovery Department-Nova Scotia Health Authority, Canada. Enam has chemistry, applied health services research, and occupational health and safety background, which have motivated her to become a multidisciplinary researcher interested in improving access to health services, reducing disparities in health care, and patient-oriented research. Please direct correspondence to Enam.Alsrayheen@nshealth.ca; Cape Breton Regional Hospital, 1482 George St. Sydney NS, Canada.

Dr. Khaldoun M. Aldiabatis (ORCID: 0000-0002-4417-6337) an Assistant Professor and qualitative researcher in population health- School of Nursing- Cape Breton University, NS, Canada. Khaldoun has a research interest in community health, mental health, and addiction. Please direct correspondence to khaldoun_aldiabat@cbu.ca; Cape Breton University, 1250 Grand Lake Rd, Sydney, NS B1P 6L2.

Dr. Catherine Aquino-Russell ()ORCHID: 0000-0002-2226-052X) is a Professor in the Faculty of Nursing at the University of New Brunswick. Catherine has held numerous practice, education, leadership, and administration positions in hospitals, communities, and universities. She also has extensive experience in phenomenological qualitative research and community health research. Please direct correspondence to caquinor@unb.ca; University of New Brunswick, 55 Lutz Street, Moncton, NB, Canada.

Publication Date

8-20-2022

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.

DOI

10.46743/2160-3715/2022.5513

Recommended APA Citation

Alsrayheen, E., Aldiabat, k., & Aquino-Russell, C. (2022). The Lived Experiences of Middle Eastern Immigrant Women During Their Cancer Survivorship Journey: A Phenomenological Study. The Qualitative Report, 27(8), 1660-1688. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2022.5513

ORCID ID

0000-0002-2168-948x