Title

EXPERIENCE OF FEAR AMONG RECOVERED COVID-19
SECULAR INDIVIDUALS: HERMENEUTIC
PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY

Author(s)

TRIXIE T. ABIABI

KYLAH B. ABING

MARIANNE THEA O. ALBISO

MARGE BERNADETTE C. BANAWAN

Affiliation

Misamis University

Degree Program

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Contributor

Ocapan, Jesus Jr. G.

Duyag, Merasol O.

Mutia, Maricar M.

Tojino, Amie G.

Year

2023

Abstract

Fear results from an impression of risk to an individual’s safety or a perceived threat. It has also been identified as one of the psychological sequelae due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Excessive fear negatively impacts an individual’s mental health and social interaction. However, limited studies have explored the feeling of fear among those who have been infected with COVID-19. This qualitative research study sought to understand and explore the experience of fear among recovered COVID-19 secular individuals. Eight (8) secular individuals from Ozamiz City participated in this study and were selected using predetermined criteria through the snowball sampling method. Data were gathered through interviews and analyzed through the hermeneutic phenomenology design of Max van Manen, specifically, the five (5) existential lifeworlds, which refer to the lived relations (relationality), lived body (corporeality), lived space (spatiality), lived time (temporality), and lived things (materiality). The meaning of the phenomenon was then revealed after seeing the interconnected essences of statements from the participants. Overreaching themes that correlated to the (5) Existential Lifeworlds by van Manen were identified, namely, (1) Stigma, (2) Wariness, (3) Hypervigilance, (4) Changing times, and (5) Unsettled. These themes reflect the different experiences and unique perspectives of fear among participants. It shows that despite the fact that they recovered from the disease, they still suffer from physical and psychological sequelae. Specifically, they share the same fear, which is the fear of reinfection. The results of this study add nuance to understanding those who have recovered from COVID-19 and provide knowledge that greatly contributes to the nursing profession, nursing education, and nursing research.

Keywords

fear, hermeneutic phenomenology, psychological sequelae, reopening of schools, secular individuals