Gastrointestinal Dysmotility and Relationships
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An explorative study of gastrointestinal Dysmotility and relationships: patient and partner perspectives.
IRAS ID
272414
Contact name
Sarah Peters
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Summary of Research:
The aim of this study is to explore the impact of gastrointestinal dysmotility on partner relationships. The term gastrointestinal dysmotility (GID) encompasses a spectrum of disorders. There is no known cause and it is only named GID after other illnesses are ruled out. It can take a long time to give a diagnosis and this can be a very difficult time for patients and their families.
Symptoms of GID can include: sickness, pain and difficulty eating. In extreme cases GID can mean having to have an operation to remove part of the bowel and some patients are left unable to eat therefore nutrients are given directly into the blood stream. There has only been one previous study on the impact of GID on patients’ lives (Twist et al., 2018). The authors highlighted that there was a need for further research to understand the impact upon relationships and partners’ experiences of supporting a family member with this condition.
This study plans to explore the impact of GID upon relationships in two phases. Phase 1) to analyse an existing data set of interviews with GID patients to identify patient views on the impact upon relationships 2) to interview partners of GID patients to explore the impact of GID on the relationship from a partners’ perspective. The two phases will allow for both the patient and partner perspectives to be reflected.
The proposed study has been recommended by previous research and will make a novel contribution to the literature on GID. The study may also be more widely applicable for relationships in other long-term physical conditions, particularly those that are difficult to diagnose and explain medically. Understanding patients and partners’ experiences will identify psychosocial factors within the relationship that are important to coping and have potential to inform future psycho-social interventions for severe GID.
Participants will be recruited for phase 2 of the study only. Participants will be partners of GID patients and will be asked to engage in a one-off interview lasting approximately one hour to. The impact will focus upon GID and the relationship. Participants will be recruited via their partners who will be patients at Salford Royal Hospital or Wythenshawe hospital.
The study is being completed as part of a doctoral level thesis, sponsored by The University of Manchester. The study is not funded by an external body. A research budget provided by The University of Manchester will cover participants’ travel expenses and materials required for the project.Research Summary:
Background: Severe gastrointestinal dysmotility is a complex disorder which can involve a long route to diagnosis and lead to failure or the gut. The condition and treatment can be highly disruptive to patients’ lives and mental health. There is currently no cure for most causes of severe gastrointestinal dysmotility. Treatment aims to reduce symptoms and other health problems, and improve length and quality of life.Aim: This study aimed to explore the impact of severe gastrointestinal dysmotility upon partner relationships.
Methods: Secondary qualitative analysis of interviews with twenty patients was conducted using thematic analysis. We had originally intended to also interview relatives, however the study took place during COVID-19 and NHS services did not have capacity at that time to support recruitment.
Results: The data were organised into four themes: 1) Restriction in relationships 2) Food as a social tool 3) Gatekeeping partner support 4) Valuing support. These themes illustrate the significant disruption and need for patients and families to adapt when living with severe gastrointestinal dysmotility. Participants highlighted the positive support they received from their partners. However patients’ ability to have their emotional needs met within relationships was limited by communication barriers and experiences of guilt and burden.
Discussion: Further research is needed to understand the partner perspective of the impact of severe gastrointestinal dysmotility and to explore the effectiveness of couples’ interventions. The results illustrate the importance of considering partner relationships within assessments of psychosocial wellbeing.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/NW/0094
Date of REC Opinion
20 Mar 2020
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion