Understanding resilience in adults with chronic inflammatory bowel disease: insights from a qualitative study

Abstract This research investigates Kumpfer’s resilience framework regarding the factors impacting resilience in adults with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), particularly considering the chronic nature of this disease. Eight participants with a clinician-confirmed IBD diagnosis were recruited from Facebook support groups and offered structured interviews based on their lived experiences. Through Braun and Clarke’s [4] thematic analysis, three major key themes emerged: the challenges of living with IBD, the power of connection and support, and embracing change. Participants emphasised the importance of having a positive attitude, a supportive social circle, and proactively learning about their health as factors critical to resilience. In contrast, stigma and a lack of public awareness emerged as major barriers to resilience. Similar to earlier studies, those who coped well with changes were more likely to have had better processes and outcomes in their resilience journey. This broader understanding of IBD and resilience from within and outside the patient further enhances previous knowledge regarding resilience in the context of chronic disease. This study confirms that resilience is a flexible and complex process influenced by internal and external factors, which, in turn, enhances wellbeing and quality of life for people with IBD.