Relationship between alexithymia, illness perception and resilience with quality of life of patients with ulcerative colitis

Abstract

Background: The quality of life is an important target variable in determining the impact of the illness on the life of patients with ulcerative colitis. The present study aimed to investigate the role of alexithymia, illness perception, and resilience in the quality of life of patients with ulcerative colitis. Materials and Methods: This study is descriptive and correlational. 58 patients (34 females, 24 males) who suffered from ulcerative colitis and had referred to gastrointestinal clinics of Isfahan from March to May 2016 were selected. They were examined by using available sampling methods. The data were collected by three methods: 1. Demographic forms concerning the subjects. 2. Clinical interview done by gastroenterologists based on the evidence of endoscopic, pathological, and colonoscopic findings. 3. Questionnaires that measured the variables alexithymia (Bagby, Taylor, & Parker, 1994), illness perception (Brad Benet, and his colleagues, 2006), resilience (Conner & Davidson, 2003), and quality of life (standardized by Gholamrezaei, and his colleagues). Results: Based on regression results, there is a relationship between illness perception and the quality of life of the patients with ulcerative colitis. In addition, the results of correlation have shown that there is a significant relationship between alexithymia, illness perception, and resilience with the quality of life of the patients (p<0.05). Conclusion: It can be concluded that among the variables, illness perception is the most relevant to the quality of life.