Experiences of Gastrointestinal Disorders in Adolescence version 1

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Exploring Adolescents Experiences of Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders

  • IRAS ID

    178934

  • Contact name

    Annabel David

  • Contact email

    annabel.david@ouh.nhs.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    1 years, 6 months, 0 days

  • Research summary

    There are three parts to this research project. The first part will look at whether stigma is experienced by adolescents with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) or a Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (FGID), and if so, how it relates to quality of life, self-esteem, anxiety and mood, and illness self-efficacy. The second part will compare these findings across the groups. The final part of the research will be a qualitative exploration of adolescents’ experiences of stigma and the impact of it (IBD group only).

    IBD is poorly understood with lower levels of awareness than many other chronic conditions. The nature of the condition relating to bowels and the rectum can make it embarrassing for young people. Furthermore, the condition and its treatment can affect physical appearance and growth. Adolescence is a time when great importance is placed on peer acceptance and body image, as well as being a crucial time for the development of identity and self-esteem. There are a number of FGIDs, and these are often associated with interactions between biological, social and psychological factors. The symptoms can be experienced in the oeophagus, upper, mid or lower gastrointestinal tract. Examples of the symptoms associated with FGIDs are dysphagia, dyspepsia, nausea or vomiting, rumination, constipation or diarrhoea, and abdominal pain.

    There is very little research into stigma experiences for adolescents with IBD or FGID, and the majority of the work that has been done is with adult populations. Therefore this is a poorly understood area in need of exploration.

  • REC name

    West of Scotland REC 1

  • REC reference

    20/WS/0020

  • Date of REC Opinion

    21 Feb 2020

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion