Crohn's Disease and the Young Adult Couple: An Interpretative Phenomenological Study

There are over 700,000 individuals living with Crohn's disease in the United States. Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel illness that can have debilitating effects on individuals and their partners. There is ample literature on the various medical effects of Crohn's disease on the diagnosed individual but a dearth of literature on how Crohn's disease affects young adult individuals and their partners. This dissertation endeavors to fill this gap in the literature. Through Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, this study explores how an individual's diagnosis of Crohn's disease is perceived to affect the couple relationship and young adult life-cycle transitions. From this study, healthcare providers can better understand how the numerous physical symptoms of Crohn's disease cause psychological and social implications for the diagnosed individual and partner. This understanding will allow healthcare providers to complete couple level clinical assessment and increase systemic interventions, promoting greater resilience among young adult couples.