Abstract
This study explores how an individual’s diagnosis of Crohn’s disease is perceived to affect the couple relationship and young adult life-cycle transitions. Design. Qualitative interview study. Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was employed to analyze qualitative couple and individual interviews from five young adult couples in which one partner has a diagnosis of Crohn’s disease. Data was collected through both structuring and interview sessions. Analysis involved transcription and reading of the interviews; exploratory initial coding; development of emergent themes; and a final analysis utilizing abstraction, subsumption, and polarization. The systemic effects of Crohn’s disease are seen at diagnosis and throughout the course of the illness. The numerous stressors posed by Crohn’s disease can lead to couples withdrawing from one another. In order to overcome this distance, couples seek to find strength in one another as their life trajectory is taken day by day. Family therapists, healthcare providers, and researchers can better understand how the numerous physical symptoms of Crohn’s disease cause psychological and social implications for the diagnosed individual and partner. A systemic, biopsychosocial understanding of Crohn’s disease will encourage couple level clinical assessment and increase systemic interventions, promoting greater resilience among young adult couples.
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Adapted from “Brief Interventions in Primary Care”, by Khatri and Mays (2011), [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from http://www.integration.samhsa.gov/Brief_Intervention_in_PC,_pdf.pdf. C. Copyright 2011 by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Nutting, R., Grafsky, E.L. Crohn’s Disease and the Young Couple: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Contemp Fam Ther 40, 176–187 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10591-017-9451-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10591-017-9451-9