THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE IMPACT OF ULCERATIVE COLITIS AND CROHNS DISEASE ON POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER SYMPTOMS MODERATED BY REMISSION STATUS, REMISSION EXPECTATIONS AND POST TRAUMATIC GROWTH

Author

Alexandra Fuss Vanderwerff

Date

2020

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Counseling Psychology

Committee Chair

Suzanne Lease

Committee Member

Douglas Strohmer

Committee Member

Margaret Bloom

Committee Member

Elin Ovrebo

Abstract

Every year millions of people worldwide are affected by Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and Crohns Disease (CD), two chronic diseases that are marked by acute phases. The Enduring Somatic Threat (EST) model was proposed to address the trauma that results from ongoing somatic concerns rather than discrete external events. Prior research has shown that people living with acute conditions experience symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD); however, very little research has been conducted concerning the relationship between UC and CD and symptoms of PTSD and whether the EST model could be extended to the UC/CD population. Additionally, literature suggests that remission status and posttraumatic growth could buffer the negative effects of living with UC or CD and may serve as moderators in the relationship between symptoms of UC/CD and PTSD symptoms. This study aimed to expand the EST model into the IBD population by exploring whether patients with UC and CD endorsed clinically significant levels of PTSD symptomology, what constellations of PTSD symptoms were related to IBD, and whether posttraumatic growth and remission-related variables moderated the relationship between both UC/CD concerns and symptoms of PTSD. Results This study found that 32.8% of participants met the cutoff for PTSD symptom endorsement that would warrant further diagnostic inquiry. Further, re-experiencing, reactivity and negative alterations in mood were more strongly associated with IBD-related worries and concerns and all the trauma symptom clusters and body vigilance were significantly correlated with UC/CD impact. Finally, it was found that posttraumatic growth did not moderate UC/CD concerns, but aspects of remission did moderate the relationships between aspects of UC/CD concerns and trauma symptoms.

Comments

Data is provided by the student.

Library Comment

Dissertation or thesis originally submitted to ProQuest

Recommended Citation

Vanderwerff, Alexandra Fuss, "THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE IMPACT OF ULCERATIVE COLITIS AND CROHNS DISEASE ON POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER SYMPTOMS MODERATED BY REMISSION STATUS, REMISSION EXPECTATIONS AND POST TRAUMATIC GROWTH" (2020). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 2820.
https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/etd/2820