Aged people with chronic diseases dying : An investigation of metaphorical perceptions and cognitive structure

This study was designed to examine the metaphorical perceptions and cognitive structures of aged individuals with chronic diseases towards death.

The research was conducted as a qualitative study based on metaphor analysis. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview form that investigated the metaphorical perceptions of 15 individuals with chronic diseases towards death and a form that was asked to be explained with drawing technique. In the semi-structured interview form "Death is like … because …", metaphor expression was included, and in the other part "Describe your thoughts about death with drawings", the form containing the expression was used. The data were analyzed using the content analysis technique. The study was conducted and reported according to the COREQ checklist.

It was determined that the old individuals with chronic diseases who participated in the study produced 4 metaphors with the writing technique and 4 metaphors with the drawing technique. As metaphors, the themes of end of life and a new beginning, extinction and feeling of emptiness, journey of life, salvation and reunion were determined.

As a result of the study, it was determined that old individuals with chronic diseases had anxiety about death. In addition, it was determined that old individuals had negative and positive cognitive schemas about death. In this context, old individuals with chronic diseases may need psychosocial support systems.