Breed, Amy and Murray, Craig (2024) The Psychosocial Impact of Living with Adult Cyclical Vomiting Syndrome : An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. PhD thesis, Lancaster University.
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Abstract
This thesis is comprised of three sections including a systematic literature review, an empirical research paper and a critical appraisal, focusing on the psychosocial impact of living with adult cyclical vomiting syndrome (CVS). The systematic literature review synthesised 14 qualitative research papers which discuss the parental experience of caring for a child with epilepsy. Four themes were found: 1) prolonged uncertainty, 2) a 24-7 condition, 3) a multitude of losses, and 4) facing societal stigma. The empirical paper explores the experiences of adults diagnosed with CVS. Existing research identified the impact of the condition on mental health, albeit the research was mainly quantitative and did not focus on the social impact on the person. To develop an understanding of this, semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven people with CVS. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used for data analysis which produced four themes: 1) a long journey of ‘just carrying on’, 2) relationships with others: dismissed vs supported by a small circle of people, 3) a multitude of losses and 4) the unknown future of CVS. These findings provide insight into the psychosocial difficulties people with CVS face, and identify how healthcare services could support people with the condition. The final section provides a critical appraisal in which the first authors interest in conducting the research is discussed, limitations of the research are identified and there is a focus on the researcher’s lived experience of CVS and the impact this had on the research.