Pity: a qualitative study on Iranian women with breast cancer

Figures & data

Table 1 Participant characteristics (n=36)

Age (years)	24–64
Marital status	Single 4, married 25, divorced 5, widowed 2
Number of children	No child 6, one child 7, two children 19, more than two children 4
Educational level	Below diploma 3, diploma 13, bachelor’s degree 11, master’s degree 6, PhD 3
Current occupational status	Housewife 14, retired 2, unemployed due to illness 8, employed part-time 4, employed full-time 8
Cancer stage	I 8, II 14, III 7, IV 7
Surgery type	Lumpectomy 15, mastectomy 21
Patient status during interview	Surgery 3, chemotherapy 6, radiotherapy 6, hormone therapy 10, survivor 11

Table 2 Categories and subcategories of data

Main categories	Subcategories
Receiving/perceiving unusual attention	Extreme compassion Unempathic interaction
Perceived reasons behind pity	Beliefs about illness The deadly nature of the disease Changes in physical appearance Limited physical functioning
Negative emotional reactions	Oversensitivity to pity Anger Irritation and discomfort A sense of humility A sense of approaching an imminent death
Self-protection	Optimism Intentional disregard Avoidance of social interactions Concealment
Normalization the flow of life	Maintaining the peace of life Maintaining normal social interactions
Social isolation	Loneliness Deprivation of social support