Coping styles and defense mechanisms utilised by patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome

Abstract

The goal of the research was to determine whether people suffering from lrritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), differ from non-Irritable Bowel Syndrome sufferers in terms of their coping styles and defense mechanisms. The research project was divided into two studies, namely: the first studied coping styles used by lrritable Bowel Syndrome sufferers and the second study focused on the defense mechanisms of the same group. The sample consisted of 30 white women between the ages of 25 and 55 years, diagnosed with lrritable Bowel Syndrome. A control group, consisting of 30 same-aged white women was also studied studied. The results show a significant difference between the lrritable Bowel Syndrome group and the non-Irritable Bowel Syndrome group as measured by the Ways of Coping Questionnaire (WCQ), the Defense Mechanisms lnventory (DMI) and the Coping perations Preference Enquiry (COPE). The implicati&s of these studies may be of great value in the non-pharmacological management or control of lrritable Bowel Syndrome. Possible directions for future research are proposed.

Opsomming
Die doel van die navorsing was om vas te stel of mense wat aan Prikkelbare Dermsindroom (PDS) ly, verskil van nie-Prikkelbare Dermsindroom lyers in terme van hulle hanteringsmeganismes en verdedigingsmeganismes. Die navorsing is in twee studies verdeel, naamlik: die eerste het hanteringstyle bestudeer wat gebruik word deur persone wat aan Prikkelbare Dermsindroom ly en die tweede studie het die verdedigingsmeganismes bestudeer in dieselfde groep. Die steekproef het bestaan uit 30 wit vrouens tussen die ouderdomme van 25 en 55 jaar wat gediagnoseer is met Prikkelbare Dermsindroom. 'n Kontrolegroep, bestaande uit 30 wit vrouens in dieselfde ouderdomsgroep, is ook bestudeer. Die resultate dui op 'n statisties beduidende verskil tussen die Prikkelbare Dermsindroom groep en die nie-Prikkelbare Dermsindroom groep soos gemeet deur die "Ways of Coping Questionnaire", die "Defense Mechanisms lnventory (DMI)" en die "Coping Operations Preference Enquiry (COPE)". Die implikasie van die studies mag van groot waarde wees in die nie-farmakologiese bestuur of beheer van Prikkelbare Dermsindroom. Moontlike rigtings vir toekomstige navorsing word voorgestel.