Expressed Emotions in Patients with Mild to Moderate Ulcerative Colitis: A Descriptive Study

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Psychology
• Health Sciences

Background:

• Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an autoimmune disease characterized by periods of relapse and remission.
• Expressed emotion (EE) is identified as a significant stressor linked to illness recurrence.
• This study investigates the impact of EE on individuals diagnosed with UC.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify the level of EE in patients with mild-to-moderate UC.
• To determine if demographic variables (age, gender, education, marital status, SES) correlate with EE levels in UC patients.

Main Methods:

• A quantitative, descriptive survey research design was employed.
• The study included 100 participants (50 males, 50 females) aged 30-50 years.
• The Family Emotional Involvement and Criticism Scale (FEICS) measured perceived criticism (PC) and emotional involvement (EI); inferential statistics and chi-square tests were utilized.

Main Results:

• UC patients exhibited a mean PC score of 14.87 and a mean EI score of 17.24 (out of 28 each).
• The total mean EE score was 32.11, indicating high levels of expressed emotion.
• No significant associations were found between demographic variables and EE levels in this cohort.

Conclusions:

• Patients with UC demonstrate moderate perceived criticism but high emotional involvement within their families.
• Family counseling and psychoeducation are recommended interventions to enhance the family environment for UC patients.
• Improving family coping skills, stress management, and communication can aid emotional regulation in individuals with UC.