Finding meaning in chronic illness and its relationship to psychological well-being: A mixed-methods study

Abstract

Several theories propose that health-related adversity threatens an individual’s worldviews, goals, and sense of purpose, which motivates them to search for meaning. This process is believed to lead to positive adjustment and personal growth. The purpose of our study was to (a) examine whether a health-related adversity motivated a search for meaning, (b) explore the ways individuals made sense of their health-related adversity, and (c) examine whether meaning making was related to acceptance, subjective well-being (positive affect, negative affect, satisfaction with life), and posttraumatic growth (PTG). Using a mixed-methods design, we collected data from 317 adults diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Participants completed a survey online. The survey included a set of validated measures that assessed acceptance, psychological adjustment, and PTG, as well as several open-ended questions. Approximately 85% of participants reported asking why me? Of those who reported that they found meaning, our thematic analysis revealed five meaning-making themes: catalyst for personal growth, self-blame, divine intervention, genetics, and chance. Our profile analysis compared three meaning-making groups (i.e., found meaning, still searching, found no meaning/not searching) and revealed that individuals who found meaning reported more positive affect and perceived more PTG than individuals still searching or who had not found meaning. Our data support theories of growth that suggest meaning making plays an important role in adjusting to adversity. We discuss cognitive and narrative-type therapeutic approaches that rehabilitation counselors could apply when supporting individuals coping with chronic illnesses.