TY - JOUR
T1 - “I’m a bit more free”
T2 - Lived symptom experiences in adolescents with functional abdominal pain disorders after internet-delivered psychological treatment
AU - Søgaard-Singh, Helene
AU - Roth Hulgaard, Ditte
AU - Skovslund Nielsen, Eva
AU - Hansen Kallesøe, Karen
AU - Bonnert, Marianne
AU - Lalouni, Maria
AU - Ulrikka Rask, Charlotte
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2025.
PY - 2025/8
Y1 - 2025/8
N2 - Studies of internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) have documented its efficacy for pediatric Functional Abdominal Pain Disorders (FAPDs), but few have detailed how adolescents experience this. We investigated the lived symptom experiences of eight adolescents (age 13–17 years) with FAPDs, who had received ICBT. Semi-structured interviews were conducted using photo-elicitation, and analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, identifying three main themes; “Power of thoughts” describes the impact of thoughts on understanding symptoms and self. “Freedom in new behaviors” explores behavior changes in the adolescents and their families. “Mediators of change; why not give it a chance?” explores the helpful treatment-parts and the adolescents’ approach toward it. The findings support the positive effects of ICBT for pediatric FAPDs. Specific treatment elements motivated the adolescents, who experienced acquiring self-agency and improved symptom management. An encouraging secondary benefit was the experienced change of family-relationships, likely to further enhance the personal growth of the adolescent.
AB - Studies of internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) have documented its efficacy for pediatric Functional Abdominal Pain Disorders (FAPDs), but few have detailed how adolescents experience this. We investigated the lived symptom experiences of eight adolescents (age 13–17 years) with FAPDs, who had received ICBT. Semi-structured interviews were conducted using photo-elicitation, and analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, identifying three main themes; “Power of thoughts” describes the impact of thoughts on understanding symptoms and self. “Freedom in new behaviors” explores behavior changes in the adolescents and their families. “Mediators of change; why not give it a chance?” explores the helpful treatment-parts and the adolescents’ approach toward it. The findings support the positive effects of ICBT for pediatric FAPDs. Specific treatment elements motivated the adolescents, who experienced acquiring self-agency and improved symptom management. An encouraging secondary benefit was the experienced change of family-relationships, likely to further enhance the personal growth of the adolescent.
KW - adolescence
KW - cognitive behavior therapy
KW - illness perception
KW - interpretative phenomenological analysis (ipa)
KW - physical symptoms
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105000332004
U2 - 10.1177/13591053251320600
DO - 10.1177/13591053251320600
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 40069964
AN - SCOPUS:105000332004
SN - 1359-1053
VL - 30
SP - 2282
EP - 2296
JO - Journal of Health Psychology
JF - Journal of Health Psychology
IS - 9
ER -