Nicholls, Charlotte; (2001) The illness experiences of women with fibroids. An exploratory study using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Doctoral thesis (D.Clin.Psy), UCL (University College London).

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Abstract

This was an exploratory qualitative study investigating the illness experiences of women with the gynaecological condition of fibroids. Previous research reported that women with fibroids attending a central London gynaecology outpatient service had high levels of distress. Eighteen women with fibroids completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and were interviewed using a semi-structured interview. The content of the interview was guided by Leventhal's self-regulation model. The main aim was to explore how women with a diagnosis of fibroids experience and think about their condition, with a further aim of developing an understanding of how their gynaecological problems influence their emotional state. The interview transcripts were qualitatively analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. The analysis revealed eight themes: 'what is normal?', 'seeking knowledge', 'the doctor's viewpoint and the woman's viewpoint', 'it's going on and on', 'thinking about fibroids', 'not leading the life I aim to lead', 'effects on self and others' and 'gaining control'. These themes were drawn into two higher-order themes: 'managing uncertainty' and 'struggling between defeat and optimism'. These themes attempt to capture the experience and understanding of having fibroids for the eighteen women in this study and provide a framework for understanding their levels of distress. The findings are discussed in relation to the literature on distress among gynaecology patients and the illness representation literature. The implications for medical and clinical psychology service provision to gynaecology patients are considered.

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