'Can't Escape'-Survivors' Perspectives and Experiences of Psychological Detachment While Living With a Stoma: A Descriptive Qualitative Study.

AIM To explore survivors' perspectives and experiences of psychological detachment while living with a stoma.

DESIGN A qualitative descriptive study was conducted. This study followed the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) checklist.

METHODS A total of 15 semi-structured interviews were conducted between February 2024 and May 2024. The phenomenological method proposed by Colaizzi was used to analyze the data.

RESULTS Four major themes emerged from the analysis: (1) Trapped in the Persistent Impact of Dual Traumas: Struggles with Adaptation; (2) Trapped by the Unrelenting Burden of Stoma Care: A Cycle of Powerlessness; (3) Trapped by the Shackles of a Stigmatised Identity: The Dilemma of Social Reintegration; and (4) Divergent Pathways of Detachment: Navigating Between Immersion and Transcendence. Within the main themes, eight subthemes were formulated.

CONCLUSION This study thoroughly explored and elucidated the psychological detachment experiences of colorectal cancer survivors with a stoma, revealing its key role in mental health recovery and psychosocial rehabilitation and informing clinical interventions.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE The study suggests that healthcare staff should guide survivors in drawing a clear boundary between stoma care and their personal life, encourage any correction of erroneous social cognition, and promote the positive development of psychological detachment among survivors.

IMPACT This study explored the challenges of psychological detachment in stoma survivors, identifying key barriers like trauma, care burden, role misconceptions, and varying detachment levels. The findings can guide healthcare providers in supporting survivors' mental well-being and inform better survivorship care strategies.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION There was no patient or public contribution.