The experience of continued smoking after stroke in Korean males: A qualitative study

Abstract Aim This study aimed to identify the nature and meaning of continued smoking in male stroke patients based on a deep understanding of their lived experiences. Design Phenomenological qualitative methodology. Methods In total, 10 male stroke patients participated in this study. We used purposive sampling for recruitment. Data collection was performed through in‐depth interviews and analysis through van Manen's methodology. Results Five essential themes were derived from the analyses and described participants’ experiences with continued smoking, as follows: “Natural relapse into smoking,” “Behaving like a healthy person,” “Believing that smoking will not be a problem,” “Finding consolation in smoking behaviour,” and “Consoling oneself by the rationalization of smoking behaviour.” Conclusion The results showcased the need for the development of a smoking cessation educational programme tailored for male stroke patients who have perceptions towards being “like healthy people” after early recovery and who think that smoking is not a problematic behaviour. Participants’ reports underpinned the necessity for these programmes to have contents focused on the transformation of patients’ awareness toward their own health status.