A critical evaluation of the use of interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) in health psychology

With the burgeoning use of qualitative methods in health research, criteria for judging their value become increasingly necessary. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) is a distinctive approach to conducting qualitative research being used with increasing frequency in published studies. A systematic literature review was undertaken to identify published papers in the area of health psychology employing IPA. A total of 52 articles are reviewed here in terms of the following: methods of data collection, sampling, assessing wider applicability of research and adherence to the theoretical foundations and procedures of IPA. IPA seems applicable and useful in a wide variety of research topics. The lack of attention sometimes afforded to the interpretative facet of the approach is discussed

A critical evaluation of the use of interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) in health psychology

With the burgeoning use of qualitative methods in health research, criteria for judging their value become increasingly necessary. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) is a distinctive approach to conducting qualitative research being used with increasing frequency in published studies. A systematic literature review was undertaken to identify published papers in the area of health psychology employing IPA. A total of 52 articles are reviewed here in terms of the following: methods of data collection, sampling, assessing wider applicability of research and adherence to the theoretical foundations and procedures of IPA. IPA seems applicable and useful in a wide variety of research topics. The lack of attention sometimes afforded to the interpretative facet of the approach is discussed

Attributions, distress and behavioural responses in the significant others of people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

To test an attribution-emotion model of reactions to chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS/ME), 30 significant others of 30 adult patients with CFS/ME were administered a semi-structured interview about their beliefs regarding the patient’s illness, and completed questionnaire measures of distress and behavioural responses to the patient. Spontaneous causal explanations (attributions) for illness events, symptom exacerbation and negative patient mood were extracted and coded. Significant other distress and negative behavioural responses towards the CFS/ME patient were associated with attributing illness events to causes personal and internal to the patient. Our findings may inform future family–based interventions for CFS/ME

Young people with diabetes and their peers

Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) is amongst the most common form of chronic illness affecting young people in the UK. Self- management is crucial, but managing their T1D is often difficult for young people

Illness perceptions, cardiac rehabilitation and quality of life in cardiac surgery patients

Background: Previous research indicates that for some individuals, quality of life (QoL) post-cardiac surgery (CABG or PTCA ) declines from pre-surgery levels. Using the framework of Leventhal's Common-Sense Model, this longitudinal study examined the associations between patients' illness perceptions and coping strategies, their QoL, attendance at cardiac rehabilitation and lifestyle changes. It was hypothesised that a more negative profile of illness beliefs (weaker control beliefs, belief in more severe consequences, poorer understanding of the condition, and negative emotional representations) together with the use of more emotional coping strategies would be associated with poorer QoL. It was also hypothesised that attendance at cardiac rehabilitation would be associated with greater control beliefs, more severe consequences and a causal attribution of lifestyle. Sample and Methods: 113 patients (93 male, mean age 66 (8.93) who were about to undergo cardiac surgery were recruited from two hospitals. Questionnaire measures of illness perceptions (IPQ-R), coping (CHIP) and cardiac-specific QoL (MacNew) were administered at four time points: pre-surgery, post-surgery, post cardiac rehabilitation, and one-year follow up. Data on attendance at rehabilitation and health behaviours were collected via hospital records and patient report. Results: The best predictors of QoL were not cognitive representations of the cardiac problems, but negative emotional representations and associated emotion-focussed coping strategies, implying that an emotion-regulation intervention could be targeted to improve outcome. The predictive ability of initial QoL on QoL at later stages implies this might be best introduced pre-surgery. Having less severe consequence beliefs prior to surgery predicted greater attendance at cardiac rehabilitation. A better understanding of the cardiac condition predicted attendance at cardiac rehabilitation. There was no evidence of change in lifestyle post-rehabilitation.Discussion: The findings that emotional representations of cardiac problems and the use of emotion focussed coping strategies were predictors of quality of life suggest that interventions to foster adaptive emotion regulation may improve outcome in these patients. Findings with respect to attendance at rehabilitation varied somewhat from the previous literature, possibly because the present study sampled patients who were having elective surgery, rather than those who had recently had a heart attack. The importance of studying defined populations and also the issue of when measures are obtained in relation to cardiac events were also highlighted.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Exploring how young people think about and respond to diabetes in their peers

Adolescence is a difficult time for people with diabetes and it is often accompanied by a deterioration in blood glucose control. This article looks at the effect the attitudes of peers can have on adolescents with diabetes. Three focus groups of 12–14-year-olds were asked about their knowledge of diabetes and were then presented with realistic vignettes about the condition, which they discussed. They then took part in a mythbusting session to help address misconceptions. The research team identified themes that emerged from the focus groups. Their findings suggest that a supportive peer network may be a valuable resource in good management of diabetes in young people. The research team suggest that more education about the condition is needed in schools and should be designed in collaboration with young people with diabetes