Social inequalities, psychosocial influences, and symptom development in patients with irritable bowel syndrome - a longitudinal qualitative analysis of the SOMA.SOC study

To mitigate social inequalities in IBS symptom development, both, individuals' coping strategies and social power need to be strengthened, especially for those with intersecting social identities associated with oppression, like low socioeconomic status, female gender, or a history of migration. Thereby, work-related, medical, and psychoeducational interventions are needed addressing both the individual and structural level.