Middle age is a period of active role in the family and society more actively than any lifelong development cycle. Especially middle-aged men become the main psychological and economic support of family, their chronic diseases are associated with midd... Middle age is a period of active role in the family and society more actively than any lifelong development cycle. Especially middle-aged men become the main psychological and economic support of family, their chronic diseases are associated with middle-aged developmental tasks as compared to other lifecycles, resulting in various problems due to economic activity constraints. Chronic diseases are, once they happen, getting worse repeating ups and downs, They are regarded as health care problems that cause serious burden not only for individuals but also for societies for they can't expect full recovery. Hypertension and diabetes mellitus, which are representative chronic diseases, are predisposing diseases of heart and cerebrovascular diseases, which are a major cause of death in middle-aged men in Korea. Chronic disease prevalence rate is also increasing proportionally increased age and the characteristics considered with a geriatric disease, but recently, chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus are also increasing in middle age. Middle-aged men are vulnerable to chronic diseases as they take on their responsibilities and roles, and they need to be careful and supportive of the welfare of middle-aged men due to the crisis that their health condition can cause a series burden on their families and society. The problems of how a middle-aged men develop functionally and how happy they live are very important for the stability and happiness of the whole society as well as their families. At present, there is little domestic research on the life of middle-aged men with chronic diseases, A realistic understanding of the lives of middle-aged men in Korean society should be prioritized. This should be an integrated approach that takes into account the needs and developmental changes of middle-aged men in an accurate understanding of the lives and desires of middle-aged men and their social and cultural contexts. Therefore, it is necessary to understand middle-aged chronic diseases as a part of life and a phenomenon that has come into the whole of 'life' rather than separating disease and life focusing on episodes of partial disease. The purpose of this study is to explore the life experiences of middle-aged men with chronic diseases. The question is "What is the life experience of middle-aged men living with chronic diseases?" From October 2015 to April 2016, data were collected through in-depth interviews with seven research participants. The data were collected through a total of 375 meaningful statements and 28 means, 12 sub themes, 6 essence themes in accordance with the procedure of Giorgi's phenomenology of research methods. It consists of a large category of topics such as 'Alarms on the dashboard alarm', 'Once stop', 'The lonely anguish', 'waves still not abated', and 'hazard warning lamps that do not switch off, from time to time flashing', and 'change direction of gaze'. And it summarized the participants' statements on the essential themes of the life experience of middle-aged men. First, the sub themes of [Alarms on the dashboard alarm] are 'pushed back' and 'dubious'. They have been diagnosed chronic illnesses suddenly through the medical checkups asked by the family members and others, but They do not accept them as patients because they do not have any serious symptom enough to make a difference in their lives. They want to delay the onset of chronic diseases as much as possible. Second, the sub themes of [Once Stop] are 'Look Around' and 'Reflect on Aging'. They listened to the news of the people around them and information about the illness which were not heard before they were diagnosed, and they were preparing to live as a patient while caring about their health. They have been saying that it is a minor disease and they have been pushing it to the point of being patients, and yet, saying 'When the world is before him,' but the flashing warning light makes them realize that they have to accept chronic diseases as an indication of 'getting older' beyond their will and effort. Third, the sub themes of [The lonely agony] are 'vulnerable', 'unspeakable'. It is hard to survive a reality like a rough storm, but it is overwhelmed by the burden of life to endure another high wave of chronic disease. They worried that they will not be able to fulfill their great responsibilities as heads of households. The loneliness that can not be consulted with or can not bear with anyone is carried by the person alone with the burden to carry alone in silence. Fourth, the sub themes of [waves still not abated] are 'Of course the responsibilities' and 'friendly or enemy'. The backbone for home economics and the education of their children is the responsibility of the head, and it is the absolute task that must be undertaken no matter what. But my family is more important than my health and sacrifice for my children's education and my family, of course, is my part. Only the responsibility is followed, but there is neither existence nor authority, nor does it know effort or expect comfort. Fifth, the sub themes of [hazard warning lamps that do not switch off, from time to time flashing] are 'uncomfortable accompaniment' and 'small change in everyday life'. Signs of encountering chronic illnesses have become everyday inconveniences that need to be constantly absorbed throughout the life of the participants. It is annoying that it does not follow the heart, and now accepts it as "In that age" and tries to adapt to the living by making effort for health care such as diet and weight loss control. Sixth, the sub themes of [change direction of gaze] are 'to get strength by joining together', 'to look for hope to reach'. They are aware of the positive aspects of living with chronic diseases which are sensitive to the signals the body sends, and that the attention to life so far must be changed. They put their troubles in front their families and discuss them. They rather get the support of their families and look back on their daily happiness. It was not a sudden change in the direction of life due to the encounter with chronic diseases, but it was an opportunity to gradually turn to the direction to go. The essence of life experience of middle-aged men with chronic diseases revealed by this study is likened to "A ship with a warning light in the storm, the agony of the sailor and route adjustment". This means that while navigating the sea of storm, a warning light is displayed to inform the ship's disorder and a warning light flashing from time to time, the sailor watches the ship and adjusts the route to reach the destination safely. Based on the results of this study, we discussed the disease recognition in middle-aged men, the life and disease management of middle-aged men, and the meaning of middle-aged chronic diseases. The study suggested practical and policy implications of life experiences of middle-aged men with chronic diseases and offer suggestions for follow-up research.
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