Authors:
Christine P. Dancey School of Psychology, University of East London, London, UK
University of East London, London, UK

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Paul Stenner School of Applied Social Science, University of Brighton, Brighton, UK

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Elizabeth A. Attree School of Psychology, University of East London, London, UK

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Joy Coogan School of Psychology, University of East London, London, UK

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Ágota Kovács Department of Medicine, Péterfy Hospital, Budapest, Hungary

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György Bàrdos Group of Behavioural Sciences, Institute for Health Promotion and Sport Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
Department of Psysiology and Neurobiology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary

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Abstract

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a disorder which exists in every country where it has been investigated. The ways in which people understand the nature and causes of their illness may have implications for the way in which the patients relate to their doctors and the ways in which they manage their illness. The views of the causes and treatment of IBS may also depend on the country in which it is studied, and in Hungary there is no published research on the way in which patients understand the nature of their IBS. The present study used Q-methodology to investigate the ways in which Hungarian IBS patients view their illness. A taxonomy of 5 distinct accounts were identified — these were labelled (a) IBS — a psychological problem caused by worry and stress (b) a problem of body, not mind (c) IBS has many causes — but relieving the symptoms is more important than knowing the cause (d) IBS is depressing and linked to family dynamics and (e) IBS does not cause depression. The accounts are discussed in relation to similarities and differences between Hungarian and UK patients, and to important themes which emerged from the data.

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Clinical and Experimental Medical Journal
Language English
Size  
Year of
Foundation
2007
Publication
Programme
ceased
Volumes
per Year
 
Issues
per Year
 
Publisher Akadémiai Kiadó
Publisher's
Address
H-1117 Budapest, Hungary 1516 Budapest, PO Box 245
Responsible
Publisher
Chief Executive Officer, Akadémiai Kiadó
ISSN 2060-6249 (Print)
ISSN 2060-968X (Online)

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