A Diagnosis Label Enhances Support for Intimate Partners with Visible Irritable Bowel Syndrome: An Experimental Study of Stigma in Romantic Contexts

This study investigated whether symptom visibility and the presence of a formal diagnosis label affected stigma and relationship responses towards dating partners with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Subjects (N= 435) were randomly assigned to hypothetical scenarios that manipulated a dating partner's IBS symptom visibility and diagnostic status. Participants then reported their emotional, perceptual, and behavioral responses while imagining themselves as the partner's significant other. Results showed that visible symptoms significantly increased stigma and negative reactions, and reduced positive relationship behaviors, whereas the presence of a diagnosis label significantly enhanced positive affect and supportive partner behavior. Interactive effects revealed that visible symptoms led to higher stigma and lower positive affect and willingness for intimacy only when no diagnosis was disclosed. Once an IBS diagnosis was learned, visibility effects disappeared, suggesting that a diagnostic label mitigates stigma associated with visible symptoms and buffers against their negative impact on emotional and behavioral responses towards romantic partners with IBS. These effects held after controlling for familiarity with IBS, perceived illness severity, and partner gender. Findings suggest that a diagnostic label helps reduce stigma, preserve intimacy, and promote supportive behaviors from close partners. Clinical and practical implications are discussed.