Emergency and Trauma Nursing

It is well known that patients with head and neck cancer report many disease- and health-related problems before, during and a long time after completed treatment. A salutogenic focus concentrating on individuals’ strength and health resources has shown to be of significance for experiences of well-being and happiness. This approach of positive psychology moves beyond the disease and support individuals’ growth. When thinking optimistic, the weight places on the individual’s growth and the value of this may create a sense of balance of the problem focused care and research. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (1975) claims that where there is a request for enrichment of life, the flow theory is one way. The aim of this study was to describe activities creating experiences of flow for persons suffering of head and neck cancer. With a descriptive design based on a deductive qualitative content analysis reflected on the nine elements of the Csikszentmihalyi flow theory. The participants struggle with everyday problems and fight for finding activities that created flow experiences. They were eager to enjoy trivial things in life. During this process they used unknown skills that increased satisfaction. Mastery, participation, involvement and enjoyment were self-rewarding and created self-care. Good relationships with family, friends and doing things together was central. Individual goals, motivation and skills and feedback from the activities contributing pleasure and happiness. This calls for personcentered care with salutogenic-oriented approaches.