Experiences of positive career change among female breast cancer survivors: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Issue 2 (27th December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Woodhouse, Katharine; Yates, Julia
• Is Part Of: Australian journal of rehabilitation counselling. Volume 26:Issue 2(2020)
• Page Start: 120
• Page End: 135
• Publication Date: 2020-12-27
• Subjects: Breast cancer, -- IPA, -- career change, -- career construction theory, -- post-traumatic career growth; Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; People with disabilities -- Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; Counseling -- Periodicals; 362.40486
• DOI: 10.1017/jrc.2020.13
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1323-8922

Abstract

Abstract: This article reports on women's experiences of career change following a breast cancer diagnosis and explores whether their illness represents the driving force to pursue previously unfulfilled career ambitions. The participants were four women who had been diagnosed with breast cancer and had changed career direction after their treatment. Data were conducted through in-depth interviews and were analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Four themes prominent throughout each women's narrative were identified: (i) a pre-diagnosis, unhappiness at work, (ii) a sense of stepping off the treadmill, (iii) a sharp focus upon their "self, " and subsequently (iv) a flourishing "work-life." Further research is needed to investigate how common these findings are among women with breast cancer.