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Open Access 01-02-2021 | Ulcerative Colitis

Depression, anxiety, and loneliness among adolescents and young adults with IBD in the UK: the role of disease severity, age of onset, and embarrassment of the condition

Authors: Pamela Qualter, Alison Rouncefield-Swales, Lucy Bray, Lucy Blake, Steven Allen, Chris Probert, Kay Crook, Bernie Carter

Published in: Quality of Life Research | Issue 2/2021

Abstract

Purpose

Adolescents and young adults (AYA) with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) report higher depressive symptoms and anxiety compared to healthy controls, with disease severity and abdominal pain being important factors. In the current study, building on what young people had told us in our previous work, we examined whether embarrassment of the condition, social self-efficacy, and friendship quality mediated the relationship between abdominal pain and disease severity, and mental health/well-being. We also included loneliness as a component of well-being.

Methods

Data on depression, anxiety, loneliness, friendship quality, social self-efficacy, and disease embarrassment were collected from 130 AYA with IBD ages 14–25 years; data on disease severity and abdominal pain were taken from their medical records. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to test the relationships between the variables.

Results

Using SEM, we established that higher IBD disease activity negatively impacted how AYA felt about their friendships and how embarrassed they were about their condition; embarrassment then influenced reports of mental health, including loneliness. Abdominal pain, disease onset, and social self-efficacy directly predicted internalising problems.

Conclusion

In this sample of 14–25-year-old patients with IBD, specifics about the disease (severity and pain) predicted poorer mental health, suggesting discussion of mental health should be part of the clinical dialogue between patient and consultant. In addition, embarrassment about their condition increased depression, anxiety, and loneliness, mediating the relationship between disease severity and well-being. Thus, it is important to consider how perceived stigma affects those with chronic illness, and those issues should be explored in clinic.

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Title: Depression, anxiety, and loneliness among adolescents and young adults with IBD in the UK: the role of disease severity, age of onset, and embarrassment of the condition
Authors: Pamela Qualter
Alison Rouncefield-Swales
Lucy Bray
Lucy Blake
Steven Allen
Chris Probert
Kay Crook
Bernie Carter
Publication date: 01-02-2021
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Keywords: Ulcerative Colitis
Chronic Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Mood Disorders
Affective Disorder
Anxiety
Key Symptom
Abdominal Pain
Published in: Quality of Life Research / Issue 2/2021
Print ISSN: 0962-9343
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2649
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-020-02653-9

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Depression, anxiety, and loneliness among adolescents and young adults with IBD in the UK: the role of disease severity, age of onset, and embarrassment of the condition

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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