Improving beliefs about emotions and quality of life in IBS: a single case experimental design

Abstract

Background: Previous research has found beliefs about the unacceptability of expressing and experiencing emotions to be related to poorer quality of life in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This relationship has not previously been explored experimentally. Methods: The current study designed a five-week course using cognitive behavioural techniques addressing beliefs about emotions and emotional suppression. This course was evaluated using a single case experimental design (n=4), taking repeated idiographic measures adapted from the Beliefs about Emotions Scale, the Courtauld Emotional Control Scale, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the IBS Quality of Life instrument. Measures were taken from four weeks prior to the course and for ten weeks follow-up. Results: Tau-U non-overlap analyses indicated significant improvements in quality of life and significant reductions in negative affect, beliefs about emotions and emotional suppression for three of the four participants. Discussion: This study provides early experimental evidence for the role of emotional suppression and beliefs about emotions in IBS within a therapeutic framework. This supports prior evidence from cross-sectional, correlational findings. Future research should explore beliefs about emotions and emotional suppression as a component of intervention in a larger sample with a control group for comparison.