Self-Perception of Iranian Patients during their life with Irritable Bowel Syndrome

A Qualitative Study

Authors

  • Farkhondeh Sharif Ph.D. of Psychiatric Nursing, Professor, Community Based Psychiatric Care Research Center, Shiraz Geriatric Research Center, Department of Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

Keywords:

Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Self-perception, Qualitative research, Hermeneutic Phenomenology

Abstract

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), as a chronic digestive disorder, impacts extensively on the quality of life, emotional well-being and self-identity. Chronic illness disrupts taken-for-granted notions about self. No qualitative study was found regarding patients’ experience of life with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in Iran. 

Objective: To explore the self-perception of lived experience of IBS patients.

Methods: A qualitative study with hermeneutic phenomenological approach was conducted on 12 IBS patients who had been referred to three central clinics (2 governmental and 1 private) affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. The data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews from July 2015 to September 2016 by purposeful sampling. Thematic analysis was carried out using Van Manen’s six-step methodological framework as a guide. In addition, MAXQDA software was used for data management.

Results: In this study, two main themes “the threatened self” and “deep self-knowledge”, emerged during the life of patients with IBS, indicating the meaning of self-perception of such patients. The theme of “the threatened self” consisted of two subthemes of “fear from stigmatization” and “bad sense of self”. The subthemes of “body knowledge”, “self-acceptance” and “personal growth” were related to deep self-knowledge.

Conclusion: The results of the present study could be applied in designing and implementation effective and holistic care of IBS patients.

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Published

2022-02-12