The impact of living with long-term conditions in young adulthood on mental health and identity: What can help?

Wilson, Ceri and Stock, Jennifer (2019) The impact of living with long-term conditions in young adulthood on mental health and identity: What can help? Health Expectations, 22 (5). pp. 1111-1121. ISSN 1369-7625

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Abstract

Background: It has been suggested that the mental health impacts of living with long-term conditions are greater in young adulthood compared to older adulthood, due to greater disruption to identity and routine life events. Objectives: To explore the impact of living with long-term conditions in young adulthood on mental health and identity, and what helps living well with these conditions. Methods: Fifteen in-depth interviews with young adults with various conditions were conducted and analysed thematically. Results: Themes related to the impacts on mental health and identity include: negative mood and depression; anxiety and fear for the future; identity as ‘ill’/abnormal compared to former self and ‘normal’ others. Themes related to suggestions for addressing negative impacts include: promotion of positive thinking; support reaching acceptance with altered identity and limitations (through stages of denial, anger, depression, then acceptance); and more professional mental health support. Discussion: In order to promote mental health and a positive sense of self/identity, young adults with long-term conditions should be offered advice and support on: positive thinking; the long and difficult process of reconstructing identity; and reaching acceptance. This is particularly important for young adults for whom the identity reconstruction process is more complex and psychologically damaging than for older adults; as this life stage is associated with health/vitality and illness represents a shift from a perceived normal trajectory to one that appears and feels abnormal.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Keywords:	Chronic Illness, Identity, Long-term conditions, Mental health, Young adults
Faculty:	Faculty of Health, Education, Medicine & Social Care
SWORD Depositor:	Symplectic User
Depositing User:	Symplectic User
Date Deposited:	15 Jul 2019 16:07
Last Modified:	10 Jun 2022 10:48
URI:	https://arro.anglia.ac.uk/id/eprint/704556

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