Although recognized as important because of its influence on personal responses to illness, on outcomes of prescribed treatments and on the resolution of illness (Brody, 1980; Katon & Kleinman, 1980; Lipwoski, 1970; Pickering, 1979; Reading, 1977; Sanders & Kardinal, 1979; Yanagida, Streltzer & Seimsen, 1981), personal meaning, an aspect of client's perspective of illness, has had little examination. But studying meanings people give to systemic lupus erythematosus, the aim of this research is to increase general understanding of the dimensions and influences of personal meanings of illness.

Twenty people who have systemic lupus erythematosus were interviewed and asked to describe what lupus meant to them. Using the grounded field theory of comparative method analysis, subject statements were coded into categories which represent concepts of personal meaning.

Analysis revealed lupus means disruptions of personal patterns of physical action and of connections among life events. Due to physical limitations, due to the inherent variation that appears abruptly, due to inconsistent connections of personal experience that are discontinuous and unfamiliar, lupus leaves people with uncertain knowledge about the occurrence of events in their life, with the inability to complete tasks and plan personal activities and with diminished personal control. People change their patterns of physical and social action seeking to establish constancy, consistency and continuity of their experience as well as personal control. They reorder what has value and significance in their life so their values are compatible with the changes that must occur in response to the ongoing disruptions.

Lupus means adjusting to chronic disruption. Adjustment arises from the compatibility people attempt to achieve among personal patterns of action, the connections of life events, and personal values.

It is proposed the meaning of a specific illness, systemic lupus erythematosus, arises out of the disruption and interaction of personal patterns of action, connections of life events and personal values. A model for adjusting to disruption, a personal response to lupus, is described.

Further research is necessary to demonstrate if these concepts of personal meaning and the explanation of adjusting to chronic disruption by people who have lupus can accurately describe others meanings and responses to disruption.