Date of Conferral

7-4-2025

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Ethel Perry

Abstract

There is a lack of knowledge regarding the experiences of managing and living with autoimmune Addison’s disease (AD) in the younger and newly diagnosed adults. AD research usually focuses on biological or medication studies. Thus, the purpose of this qualitative study was to understand the lived experiences of the younger and newly diagnosed adults living with autoimmune AD. Consisting of the complex integration of biological, psychological, and social factors, Engel’s biopsychosocial model served as the study’s conceptual framework. I conducted this study to include the experiences of managing and living with autoimmune AD in the younger (18–35) and newly diagnosed adults. I used interpretative phenomenological analysis to gain a deep and rich understanding of how the participants made sense of their significant life experiences. I collected data using semistructured interviews. Sixteen group experiential themes emerged from the interpretative phenomenological analysis: Everyday experience with AD, medical care, AD symptoms, social living, impact of sleep, emotional health, resilience, taking medication, patient education, tests for AD, health-related quality of life, bedside manner of health professionals, coping with stress, emergency measures, putting yourself in someone else’s shoes, and understanding of AD. The participants’ experiences consisted of taking fludrocortisone and hydrocortisone to manage AD; having low blood pressure, hyperpigmented skin, and salt cravings; categorizing health-related quality of life as not so good, fairly good, and unsteady; and reporting low self-esteem. Results suggest implications for positive social change by helping healthcare providers better serve patients and potentially helping patients learn how to manage AD.

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