Self-Worth Beliefs Predict Willingness to Engage in Psychotherapy for Fatigue in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

BACKGROUND: Fatigue in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is poorly controlled, with few existing interventions. Psychotherapy interventions for IBD fatigue show promise; however, due to mixed findings in efficacy and attrition, current interventions need improvement. Some research shows beliefs about psychotherapy and stigma toward psychotherapy may impact engagement in psychotherapy interventions. AIMS: This study aimed to examine the effects of IBD activity, fatigue, mental health status, previous experience with psychotherapy, and stigma toward psychotherapy on willingness to use psychotherapy as a fatigue intervention. METHODS: An online cross-sectional survey was conducted, and linear regression models were used to examine willingness to engage in psychotherapy for fatigue. RESULTS: Overall, 834 participants completed the survey. Regression analysis examining demographics, mental health status, IBD activity, fatigue, pain, antidepressant use, psychotherapy experience, and self-worth intervention efficacy belief significantly explained 25% of variance in willingness to use psychotherapy for fatigue. Significant factors included antidepressant use (b = .21, p < .01), pain (b = − .05, p < .001), and self-worth intervention belief (b = − .27, p < .001), which uniquely explained 18% of variance in the outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Willingness to engage in psychotherapy for fatigue in IBD appears to be driven by expectations related to specific self-worth beliefs, rather than stigma, IBD activity, or any prior experience with psychotherapy. Clinicians should directly address these expectations with their patients.