The dark corner of the heart - understanding and embracing suffering as portrayed by adults.

BACKGROUND: Suffering profoundly touches the human being's inner existence. The different faces of suffering may yet be unknown, and therefore, it is important to further explore suffering in order to reach a new and deeper understanding of it and its alleviation.

THE AIM AND RESEARCH QUESTIONS: The aim of this study was to expand the understanding of suffering. The research questions are what is suffering as described by the human beings themselves and what initiates a movement in suffering towards its alleviation?

RESEARCH DESIGN, PARTICIPANTS AND RESEARCH CONTEXT: The study uses a hermeneutical approach and hermeneutical reading. The material consists of interviews with adults who had lived through suffering and regained health.

ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS: The data storage, study participation and handling of data for research purposes were approved by the participants when they provided their informed consent.

FINDINGS: Suffering is portrayed as a deep darkness. The suffering human being is filled with hopelessness and meaninglessness and feels homeless in life. There is often a hidden inner longing in the midst of suffering that may be uncovered.

CONCLUSION: Embracing the dark corner of the heart, the suffering, provides the keys for initiating a movement towards its alleviation and implications for how to encounter a suffering human being, for example within different caring contexts.