Something's not right : exploring the lived experience of health anxiety : thesis submitted in partial completion of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Clinical Psychology, Massey University, Albany, New Zealand
| dc.confidential | Embargo : No | en_US |
| dc.contributor.advisor | Van Ommen, Clifford | |
| dc.contributor.author | Thompson, Victoria | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2020-12-08T23:31:15Z | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2021-06-03T22:49:12Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2020-12-08T23:31:15Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2021-06-03T22:49:12Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2020 | |
| dc.description.abstract | Changes in the diagnostic criteria for health anxiety calls for a closer investigation of the experiences of those who excessively worry about their health. This study uses a social constructionist perspective to qualitatively investigate the lived experience of people who identify as excessively worrying about their health. Experiences of nine participants were explored in semi-structured interviews. Through a thematic analysis, six key themes were identified: ‘relationships’, ‘invalidation’, ‘insight’, ‘better safe than sorry’, ‘vulnerability’ and ‘therapy.’ Overall, participants experience their health anxiety as debilitating, with challenges that included interactions with health professionals, a sense of responsibility for health and a feeling of vulnerability in relation to their bodies. However, previous research suggesting a lack of insight in health anxiety was called into question and the benefits of interacting with psychological therapies shared. Participants reflected a sense of invalidation within the medical sphere and a need for recognition, support and engagement with professionals that does not serve to further stigmatise this group. | en_US |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/10179/16389 | |
| dc.publisher | Massey University | en_US |
| dc.rights | The Author | en_US |
| dc.subject | Hypochondria | en |
| dc.subject | New Zealand | en |
| dc.subject | Patients | en |
| dc.subject | Attitudes | en |
| dc.subject.anzsrc | 520399 Clinical and health psychology not elsewhere classified | en |
| dc.title | Something's not right : exploring the lived experience of health anxiety : thesis submitted in partial completion of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Clinical Psychology, Massey University, Albany, New Zealand | en_US |
| dc.type | Thesis | en_US |
| massey.contributor.author | Thompson, Victoria | en_US |
| thesis.degree.discipline | Clinical Psychology | en_US |
| thesis.degree.grantor | Massey University | en_US |
| thesis.degree.level | Doctoral | en_US |
| thesis.degree.name | Doctor of Clinical Psychology | en_US |
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