Identity disruption, fear of progression, and avoidance in postoperative adaptation following vestibular schwannoma surgery in China: An interpretative phenomenological analysis

Vestibular schwannoma is a benign intracranial tumour with a generally favourable prognosis. However, many patients continue to experience persistent postoperative symptoms, functional limitations, and long-term medical follow-up after surgery. These experiences extend beyond physical recovery and may affect patients' sense of self, social roles, and everyday life....

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Audiologists and surgical teams should screen vestibular schwannoma patients for psychological distress — particularly identity disruption and fear of recurrence — and consider referral to psycho-oncology or counseling services as part of postoperative care.

Psychological sequelae after vestibular schwannoma surgery are underrecognized and underaddressed in clinical follow-up protocols, and this study highlights specific emotional patterns that structured support could target.

1. 01Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) conducted with Chinese vestibular schwannoma surgery patients.
2. 02Three core themes identified: identity disruption, fear of progression/recurrence, and behavioral avoidance.
3. 03Findings suggest unmet psychological needs in postoperative care pathways.
4. 04Qualitative design captures patient experience but limits generalizability across populations.
5. 05Results may not transfer directly to non-Chinese cultural contexts.

PMID

42673700

DOI

10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2026.105683.

Journal

International Journal of Nursing Studies

Publication type

research_article

Evidence level

4

Population

Chinese patients who underwent vestibular schwannoma surgery

Intervention

Qualitative interpretative phenomenological analysis of postoperative adaptation experiences