A Phenomenological Investigation of Trauma in 18 Adults Living With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Abstract

While trauma is recognized as being common in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) cohorts, limited research has explored how trauma impacts the lived experience of IBD. The aim of this study was to develop an understanding of how trauma impacts the experience of living with IBD and its subsequent management. An interpretative phenomenological analysis with thematic analysis was conducted. Eighteen adults with IBD participated in this qualitative research study. Key themes identified included: (1) Trauma was associated with the journey of IBD; (2) the impact of IBD and trauma, and (3) coping strategies. Pre-existing non-IBD trauma was prevalent, with several participants reporting links between traumatic events and their IBD diagnosis. Experiences of IBD trauma were described by participants across all stages of their illness journey. The study can assist healthcare professionals to better understand the experience of living with IBD and trauma and the factors that can contribute to traumatic responses.

Exploring the Impact of Trauma and Psychosocial Processes on the Quality of Life in Individuals Living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

“…Over 75% of participants in the IBD related trauma group with probable PTSD also reported non disease related trauma (28 of 37 participants). These findings support previous research showing the interplay between pre-existing trauma and IBD related trauma [12].…”

“…Future research should also seek to attain prospectively recruited participants, with biomarkers and stratifying based upon disease severity, hospitalisation, surgery, corticosteroids, and biologics. Outcome measures for the assessment of trauma in IBD cohorts should also consider the measurement of future oriented intrusions and arousal related to internal triggers [12,52]. Due to the relatively small sample size in the trauma group (n=68), a trauma informed SEM model comparison could not be undertaken (i.e., exploring potential differences between disease related and non IBD related trauma).…”

“…Reflecting the bi-directional nature of the brain-gut axis, stress, including post-traumatic stress (PTS) have been identified as a key process influencing digestive processes [7][8][9]. Further, living with a medical condition (such as IBD) is linked to the development of PTS [10][11][12][13], and subsequently, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In a recent systematic review, Glynn et al [14] identified that the prevalence of PTSD across gastrointestinal cohorts was high, with 31% of individuals with inflammatory conditions (e.g., ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, peptic disease) having PTSD.…”

“…In a recent systematic review, Glynn et al [14] identified that the prevalence of PTSD across gastrointestinal cohorts was high, with 31% of individuals with inflammatory conditions (e.g., ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, peptic disease) having PTSD. Recent qualitative studies highlight multiple sources of trauma in IBD cohorts, including not only the physical and psychological impact of IBD, but also diagnostic and surgical processes, lack of perceived support from medical professionals, along with medication effectiveness and associated side effects [10,12]. Given that stress, including J Gastrointestin Liver Dis, ePub ahead of print, 15 August 2022 psychological distress and PTS have been found to adversely impact IBD course [15][16][17][18][19], further research relating to PTS, potential psychosocial mediators of illness adjustment, and the impact on illness outcomes in IBD cohorts is needed.…”