Understanding the psychosocial effects of Crohn's disease: The role of chronic illness, social support and family systems

The purpose of this dissertation is to provide an understanding of the psychosocial effects of Crohn's disease in order to help and to empower Crohn's disease patients, their families and the professional psychologists who work with them. To promote such understanding, research is integrated in an attempt to highlight the experience of the patient with Crohn's disease within the broader social, work and healthcare systems. Secondarily, the study seeks to understand the impact of Crohn's disease on the family.;Crohn's disease is an auto-immune disease, a chronic illness and an invisible chronic illness. These issues are examined in order to highlight the psychosocial effects of Crohn's disease. It is illustrated that these effects of Crohn's disease on the individual are intricately woven together with the individual's experience of his or her support system, the most significant of which may be the patient's family. By linking information and theory regarding Crohn's disease with chronic illness, social support and family systems, an understanding of the psychosocial effects of Crohn's disease emerges.;The primary psychological effects of Crohn's disease appear to be anger, fear, grief, loss of control and uncertainty. Couples and families, in particular, encounter significant psychosocial effects of Crohn's disease on family transitions and there is a pull toward a centripetal family style in the presence of Crohn's disease. Role re-allocation, genetic considerations and pregnancy risks are considered as are transgenerational history of illness, loss, crisis and family belief systems.;The two major conclusions of the present study are that patients and their families need understanding and that they need support. From these conclusions arise two primary needs: the need for information (research and education) and the need for integration of social systems. The role of professional psychologists is identified as one that can help to ameliorate the needs of patients and families. Treatment strategies are highlighted, implications are discussed and recommendations for future research are made in an attempt to acquire an even deeper understanding of this difficult experience.