Chronic Sorrow: Concept Analysis Using Rogers’ Approach

Sorrow is an inseparable part of chronic diseases. The gap between imagination and reality is the cause of chronic sorrow in patients and their families. In this regard, the present study aimed to define the concept of chronic sorrow, and describe its attributes, antecedents, and outcomes.

The present study used concept analysis with Rogers’ approach. All English and Persian published resources were searched without time limitation. After the resources were selected, the required data were extracted and analyzed. Finally, the attributes, antecedents, and outcomes of the concepts were summarized and coded.

Based on the concept analysis, chronic sorrow is a normal response to an abnormal event in which a person experiences cycles of sorrow. This sorrow is endless even though it can be interrupted by short periods of joy and happiness. Several factors can lead to sorrow, including disease, comparison of the patient with personal, social, and developmental norms, and the difference between imagination and reality. If the sorrow is ignored, it can cause psychological problems, like depression.

Chronic sorrow is a complicated concept and has a range of characteristics. In addition to defining the concept, the present study aimed to encourage more research about this concept, its development, and especially its outcomes.