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ETD Abstract Container

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Experiencing Invisible Chronic Illnesses at Work and in the Clinic: It's almost like people have to physically see it.

Natale, Ginny L
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1561128245171026

Abstract Details

2019, PHD, Kent State University, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Sociology and Criminology.
Invisible chronic illnesses and conditions significantly impair normal activities of daily living. In the United States, 96% of people with chronic medical conditions show no outward signs of their illness, and 10% experience symptoms that are considered disabling (Shapiro, 2012). Invisible illnesses can hinder a person's efforts to go to school, work, socialize, and more. The challenges and impairment associated with invisible chronic illnesses can be difficult for others to recognize or acknowledge. Others may not understand the cause of the problem, since they cannot see evidence of it in a visible way. One such invisible illness, Crohn’s Disease, affects as many as 780,000 Americans (Kappelman et al., 2007) but there is relatively little literature examining people’s subjective experiences of the disease (Casati et al. 2000a; 200b). Outsiders see people living with Crohn’s Disease working, socializing, smiling and laughing, exercising and grocery shopping. In my dissertation, I find what they cannot see is chronic pain, insomnia, and medication side effects, to name just a few symptoms. My findings also show that people may also experience financial burdens from medical costs, extreme fatigue, loneliness and isolation. My dissertation investigates how persons living with Crohn’s manage myriad aspects of their illness while pursuing social milestones, such as having a career, getting married or/and becoming a parent. My research question led to the investigation of three aspects of the Crohn’s experience: how biographical disruptions affect life chances, loss and normality; how individuals with Crohn's fight for legitimacy in the clinical setting; and, how stigma and labeling shape an individual’s choice to disclose illness in the workplace. The present study centers on how Crohn’s Disease extends into people’s public and personal lives. By understanding how people handle the demands of their illness, it is then possible to better target interventions that can help them cope more effectively, resist stigmatization, promote disclosure, reduce stress, and produce better health overall.
Manacy Pai (Committee Co-Chair)
Clare Stacey (Committee Co-Chair)
Richard Adams (Committee Member)
JoAnn Xi (Committee Member)
262 p.
Health; Health Care; Mental Health; Sociology
chronic illness, stigma, delegitimation, medicine, crohns disease, illness experience

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Natale, G. L. (2019). Experiencing Invisible Chronic Illnesses at Work and in the Clinic: It's almost like people have to physically see it. [Doctoral dissertation, Kent State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1561128245171026

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Natale, Ginny. Experiencing Invisible Chronic Illnesses at Work and in the Clinic: It's almost like people have to physically see it. . 2019. Kent State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1561128245171026.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Natale, Ginny. "Experiencing Invisible Chronic Illnesses at Work and in the Clinic: It's almost like people have to physically see it. ." Doctoral dissertation, Kent State University, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1561128245171026

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

kent1561128245171026
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This open access ETD is published by Kent State University and OhioLINK.