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. 2023 Jul 18;23(1):244.
doi: 10.1186/s12876-023-02878-1.

Reconstructing self from the illness: a constructivist grounded theory study of posttraumatic growth in patients with Crohn's disease

Ying Wang #  1 , Chen Zhang #  1 , Yunxian Zhou  2
Affiliations

Reconstructing self from the illness: a constructivist grounded theory study of posttraumatic growth in patients with Crohn's disease

Ying Wang et al. BMC Gastroenterol. .

Abstract

Background: Some patients with Crohn's disease report posttraumatic growth, which can promote reductions in anxiety and depression, and improve the patient's quality of life. However, the process of posttraumatic growth remains unclear. The objectives of this study were to explore the social-psychological process of posttraumatic growth in patients with Crohn's disease in the context of Chinese culture and construct an interpretive understanding based on the perspectives of patients.

Methods: This research adopted Charmaz's constructivist grounded theory. Nineteen participants with Crohn's disease were selected by purposive and theoretical sampling from three hospitals in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, as well as from the China Crohn's & Colitis Foundation. In-depth interviews were conducted. Data analysis was based on initial, focused and theoretical coding strategies, and methods such as constant comparison and memo writing were adopted. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research, a 32-item checklist for interviews and focus groups, was utilised.

Results: An interpretive understanding of posttraumatic growth in patients with Crohn's disease was constructed. The core category was "reconstructing self from the illness", which included the following four categories: "suffering from the illness", "accepting the illness", "dancing with the illness" and "enriching life beyond the illness". However, not every patient reached the last phase. Before patients enter the next stage, they might begin a new cycle by experiencing new suffering or discovering new unacceptable facts about the illness.

Conclusions: This interpretive understanding reveals a growth process centred on "reconstructing self from the illness". These findings provide knowledge on the process of posttraumatic growth in patients with Crohn's disease within the wider sociocultural context.

Keywords: Crohn’s disease; Grounded theory; Inflammatory bowel disease; Posttraumatic growth; Qualitative research.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
An example of a part of a memo regarding planning for future
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Core category of reconstructing self from the illness
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Categories and subcategories of reconstructing self from the illness
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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