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Lived symptom experiences in adolescents with functional abdominal pain disorders after internet-delivered psychological treatment

Bibliographic Data

ID4226904
AuthorsHelene Søgaard-Singh (0000-0001-7304-0271, Aarhus University Hospital Psychiatry, Denmark), Ditte Roth Hulgaard (0000-0002-5301-5295, University of Southern Denmark), Eva Skovslund Nielsen (0000-0002-0537-7494, Aarhus University Hospital Psychiatry, Denmark), Karen Hansen Kallesøe (0000-0002-2413-4586, Aarhus University Hospital Psychiatry, Denmark), Marianne Bonnert (0000-0002-0140-773X, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, Sweden), Maria Lalouni (0000-0002-6818-8156, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, Sweden), Charlotte Ulrikka Rask (0000-0002-7426-0353, Aarhus University Hospital Psychiatry, Denmark)
Year2025
Volume30
Issue9
Pages2282-2296
Publication date2025-08-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Health Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1359-1053 • E-ISSN: 1461-7277
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/13591053251320600
PMID40069964
OpenAlexW4408384995
LanguageEN
References cited39

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

Agency (philosophy · Developmental psychology · Interpretative phenomenological analysis · Psychotherapist · Qualitative research · Sense of agency · The Internet · Gastrointestinal motility and disorders · Infant Health and Development · Medicine · Pediatric Pain Management Techniques · Psychology · Clinical Psychology · Social Psychology

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