Illness perceptions, defence styles, alexithymia and QOL in IBD - v.1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Illness perceptions, defence styles, alexithymia and health-related quality of life in people with inflammatory bowel disease:testing a mediator model
IRAS ID
216902
Contact name
Martin Dempster
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Research Governance, Ethics and Integrity
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
The Common Sense Model (CSM) states that illness perceptions influence health-related quality of life (HRQoL) through the mediation of coping. Mediation refers to how an effect will occur in a relationship between an independent variable and a dependent variable. This study will test whether coping methods in the form of defence styles, mediate the relationship proposed by the CSM for people with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).
As well as this, recent literature has suggested other variables of interest that could potentially mediate the relationship between illness perceptions and HRQoL in IBD. A recent systematic literature review found a relationship between illness perceptions, alexithymia and HRQoL, and previous research has suggested a mediating role of alexithymia in this relationship. This study will therefore also measure the potential mediating role of alexithymia.
Alexithymia describes a person that is incapable of understanding or recognising their own feelings. People with alexithymia have been described as “seemingly detached, unconcerned, and distant” (Nemiah and Sifneos, 1970).
IBD is an umbrella term used to describe the chronic illness. The most commonly diagnosed illnesses under the IBD umbrella include Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's disease. Adults with a diagnosis of either Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn's disease will be eligible for the study.
Participants will be recruited from the Gastroenterology clinic and Clinical Psychology Department in the Belfast Trust. They will also be recruited from Crohn’s and Colitis UK, NI support group. Recruited participants will be asked to complete questionnaire packs.
The study aims to expand the knowledge base, and assist in offering a better understanding of the variables that influence the HRQoL of people with IBD. The clinical benefit of the study is that it will assist in producing empirical evidence that will inform future psychological interventions to improve adjustment to IBD.REC name
London - Riverside Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/LO/2080
Date of REC Opinion
14 Nov 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion