Constructing and Preliminary Testing a Narrative Therapy Programme for Posttraumatic Growth in Chinese Patients With...

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Gastroenterology
• Clinical Research

Background:

• Limited research exists on posttraumatic growth (PTG) promotion programs, specifically narrative therapy (NT), for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients.
• This pilot study addresses the need for developing and evaluating an NT program tailored for IBD patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a narrative therapy (NT) program aimed at fostering posttraumatic growth (PTG) in individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
• To assess the feasibility, preliminary effectiveness, participant experiences, and areas for improvement of the developed NT program.

Main Methods:

• The NT program was created using literature reviews, IBD patient interviews, and expert consultations.
• A randomized controlled pilot trial compared the NT program (five weekly sessions) against standard care, measuring PTG, anxiety, depression, and quality of life.
• Qualitative interviews gathered participant feedback for program refinement.

Main Results:

• The NT program was developed rigorously. Recruitment and retention rates were 62.5% and 96.7%, respectively.
• The NT group demonstrated a significant reduction in anxiety levels and reported manifestations of PTG.
• Participants provided valuable suggestions for enhancing the NT program.

Conclusions:

• The developed NT program shows feasibility and potential for positive psychological change, including PTG, in IBD patients.
• Preliminary evidence suggests NT may be a beneficial intervention for improving psychological outcomes in this population.
• Larger-scale studies are recommended to validate the effectiveness of this NT program for broader clinical application.