A Well-Being Intervention for People With IBS

This study consists of two phases: Study 1 (Screening and Baseline Assessment): Participants who self-identify as having been diagnosed with IBS and receive care at the University of Wisconsin (UW) Digestive Health Center will complete a battery of self-report questionnaires assessing well-being, anger, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, empathy, hope, sleep quality, fatigue, diet, and IBS symptom severity. Study 2 (Intervention Phase - registered here): Eligible participants will be randomized to either an experimental well-being intervention or a waitlist control condition. Participants assigned to the waitlist control condition will not receive the intervention during the initial intervention period but will complete all scheduled assessments. After completion of the first post-test assessment, waitlist participants will receive the same 15-session well-being intervention (crossover design). The intervention will be held once a week for 15 weeks, lasting approximately one hour per session, conducted in a private meeting room at the Digestive Health Center. Sessions focus on emotional awareness, perspective-taking, and developing the capacity to overcome hurt and resentment toward a person who acted unfairly. Following completion, both groups will complete post-test and follow-up assessments identical to the baseline questionnaires. Qualitative interviews will be conducted to explore participants' experiences with the intervention. \[Note - so as not to bias participants, specific information about the intervention will be withheld until the study is complete\]