The role of affective well-being in understanding the irritable bowel syndrome severity among college female nursing students with irritable bowel syndrome

The aim of our study was to identify predictors of the irritable bowel syndrome severity in college female nursing students with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Our analysis was based on the data of 135 students, recruited from the six nursing colleges located in D city, Korea. Affective well-being and severity in IBS were assessed using structured questionnaires. Bivariate logistic analysis was used to identify predictors of severity in IBS. Among the participants, 48.9% had a positive screening for bowel symptoms on the Irritable Bowel Syndrome Severity Scoring system–Korean Version. Exercising four or more times per month, irregular meals and lower affective well-being were associated with a higher likelihood of moderate-to-severe IBS. Outcomes of our study provide a basis for designing interventions to assist female nursing students in managing the severity in IBS.