Negative experiences with public bathrooms and chronic illness‐related shame

Introduction The use of public bathrooms is a challenge for everyone, but especially for those who are affected by a bathroom‐dependent condition. Being dependent on bathrooms is linked with different negative emotions. One of them is a clinically relevant emotion: shame associated with the chronic...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Neurourology and urodynamics 2023-02, Vol.42 (2), p.539-546
Main Authors: Corradi, Guido, Leon, Leticia, Theirs, Cecilia, García‐Garzón, Eduardo, Clemente, Daniel, Barrada, Juan Ramon
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Chronic Disease
chronic illness
Cross-Sectional Studies
Emotions
environmental health
gastrointestinal disease
Humans
IBD psychology
Shame
Toilet Facilities
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Summary:Introduction The use of public bathrooms is a challenge for everyone, but especially for those who are affected by a bathroom‐dependent condition. Being dependent on bathrooms is linked with different negative emotions. One of them is a clinically relevant emotion: shame associated with the chronic condition. Materials and Methods In a cross‐sectional survey study (n = 193) of people who suffer a bathroom‐dependent condition we asked about health conditions, well‐being, and shame related to chronic condition outcomes. Results We show a link between negative public bathroom experiences, and diminished well‐being and feelings of shame related to chronic illness. We found that this relationship between negative experiences with public bathrooms and shame is not specific to the different conditions. Conclusion We conclude that the negative experiences which people with different gastrointestinal illnesses face is an environmental stressor associated with more embarrassment as a result of the condition suffered.
ISSN:0733-2467
1520-6777
DOI:10.1002/nau.25118