Sex and intimacy in people with severe asthma: a qualitative study
Introduction People with severe asthma experience unpredictable daily symptoms requiring an intense treatment regimen impacting on health-related quality of life (QoL). Sexuality contributes to this, yet there is a dearth of research exploring intimacy in people with severe asthma. We aimed to explo...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMJ Publishing Group
2019-09-01
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| Series: | BMJ Open Respiratory Research |
| Online Access: | https://bmjopenrespres.bmj.com/content/6/1/e000382.full |
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| author | Leanne Jo Holmes Janelle A Yorke Caroline Dutton Stephen J Fowler Dorothy Ryan |
| author_facet | Leanne Jo Holmes Janelle A Yorke Caroline Dutton Stephen J Fowler Dorothy Ryan |
| author_sort | Leanne Jo Holmes |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction People with severe asthma experience unpredictable daily symptoms requiring an intense treatment regimen impacting on health-related quality of life (QoL). Sexuality contributes to this, yet there is a dearth of research exploring intimacy in people with severe asthma. We aimed to explore the patient’s perception of the impact of severe asthma on intimacy, establish their information needs and their perceived role of the healthcare practitioner.Methods We have performed a qualitative study guided by Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis. We interviewed patients diagnosed with severe asthma recruited from a dedicated clinic using purposive sampling. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Using thematic analysis, the data were analysed for emergent themes.Results The nine interviews provided unique and detailed insights into their perspectives on how living with severe asthma impinges on sexual intimacy. Four superordinate themes emerged: (1) ‘Physical intimacy’: including disclosure of physical limitations of severe asthma on intimacy; (2) ‘Emotional intimacy’: the cyclical impact of the often-negative emotional struggle of living with severe asthma on relationships; (3) ‘The role of the healthcare professional’: a perceived failure of healthcare professionals (HCPs) to tackle sexual intimacy in consultations and (4) ‘Image of self’: the reported struggle to deal with negative body image and confusion regarding changing relationship roles.Discussion This study is the first to explore the impact of severe asthma on intimacy. We suggest an emphasis on education to raise awareness and help HCPs to address this sensitive topic in this cohort and adopt positive strategies to help improve QoL. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b68d5226ed91416d8d58ea1e1a31dadd |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2052-4439 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2019-09-01 |
| publisher | BMJ Publishing Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMJ Open Respiratory Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-b68d5226ed91416d8d58ea1e1a31dadd2025-08-20T02:17:57ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Open Respiratory Research2052-44392019-09-016110.1136/bmjresp-2018-000382Sex and intimacy in people with severe asthma: a qualitative studyLeanne Jo Holmes0Janelle A Yorke1Caroline Dutton2Stephen J Fowler3Dorothy Ryan41 Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK2 Division of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK1 Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK2 Division of Immunology, Immunity to infection & Respiratory Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK4 Respiratory Medicine, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, IrelandIntroduction People with severe asthma experience unpredictable daily symptoms requiring an intense treatment regimen impacting on health-related quality of life (QoL). Sexuality contributes to this, yet there is a dearth of research exploring intimacy in people with severe asthma. We aimed to explore the patient’s perception of the impact of severe asthma on intimacy, establish their information needs and their perceived role of the healthcare practitioner.Methods We have performed a qualitative study guided by Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis. We interviewed patients diagnosed with severe asthma recruited from a dedicated clinic using purposive sampling. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Using thematic analysis, the data were analysed for emergent themes.Results The nine interviews provided unique and detailed insights into their perspectives on how living with severe asthma impinges on sexual intimacy. Four superordinate themes emerged: (1) ‘Physical intimacy’: including disclosure of physical limitations of severe asthma on intimacy; (2) ‘Emotional intimacy’: the cyclical impact of the often-negative emotional struggle of living with severe asthma on relationships; (3) ‘The role of the healthcare professional’: a perceived failure of healthcare professionals (HCPs) to tackle sexual intimacy in consultations and (4) ‘Image of self’: the reported struggle to deal with negative body image and confusion regarding changing relationship roles.Discussion This study is the first to explore the impact of severe asthma on intimacy. We suggest an emphasis on education to raise awareness and help HCPs to address this sensitive topic in this cohort and adopt positive strategies to help improve QoL.https://bmjopenrespres.bmj.com/content/6/1/e000382.full |
| spellingShingle | Leanne Jo Holmes Janelle A Yorke Caroline Dutton Stephen J Fowler Dorothy Ryan Sex and intimacy in people with severe asthma: a qualitative study BMJ Open Respiratory Research |
| title | Sex and intimacy in people with severe asthma: a qualitative study |
| title_full | Sex and intimacy in people with severe asthma: a qualitative study |
| title_fullStr | Sex and intimacy in people with severe asthma: a qualitative study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Sex and intimacy in people with severe asthma: a qualitative study |
| title_short | Sex and intimacy in people with severe asthma: a qualitative study |
| title_sort | sex and intimacy in people with severe asthma a qualitative study |
| url | https://bmjopenrespres.bmj.com/content/6/1/e000382.full |
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