Inflammatory bowel disease and the psychological difficulties of partners; An interpretative phenomenological analysis.

Abstract

Introduction: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) affects not only the patients, but also their partners. This article addresses psychological difficulties for partners and the subsequent need for support.

Methods: Seven partners of IBD patients were, inter alia, asked about the effects of the illness on their mental wellbeing in semi-structured qualitative interviews. They were also asked about any potential need for support. The data were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis.

Results: Participants reported psychological difficulties because of the depression that often accompanies IBD. They experienced stress, a sense of helplessness, concerns about the future, and tension between self-care and supporting their partners. From the participants' point of view, offers of support or help for partners of IBD patients are needed.

Conclusion: This is the first study in Germany to examine the effects of IBD on partners. The results are mainly consistent with those from other international studies dealing with this research question. These have already described most of the psychological difficulties mentioned in this study; however, the tension between self-care and support for the participants' loved ones suffering from IBD is described in this study for the first time. Medical staff should be sensitive to the effects that IBD has on partners and ask for those effects in order to detect psychological difficulties early and take further steps if necessary. Further offers of support for partners should be considered.