Dissertations
Date of Award
Fall 11-20-2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Mental Health Counseling, School of
College
Pharmacy and Health Sciences, College of
First Advisor
Janet Hicks
Second Advisor
Stephan Berry
Abstract
Alpha-gal syndrome is a tick-borne food allergy that triggers delayed allergic reactions to mammalian products and profoundly alters daily life. While growing research examines the physiological aspects of alpha-gal syndrome, little is known about its psychological impact. This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of individuals with alpha-gal syndrome to understand how the condition influences mental health through the lens of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Data was collected through semi-structured virtual interviews with adults medically diagnosed with alpha-gal syndrome. Thematic analysis revealed significant challenges in meeting Maslow’s lower-tier needs—physiological, safety, and love/belonging—due to dietary restrictions, medical uncertainty, social isolation, and perceived stigma. Participants reported heightened anxiety, depression, grief, loss of social connectedness, and diminished trust in medical systems, all contributing to compromised psychological well-being. Despite these difficulties, themes of resilience, adaptation, and advocacy also emerged. Findings underscore the urgent need for increased awareness of alpha-gal syndrome within the medical and mental health communities, the integration of mental health screening into allergy care, and the development of trauma-informed, patient-centered interventions. The implementation of these suggestions will be further supported by public policy and health involvement. This study contributes to the limited body of psychological literature on alpha-gal syndrome and highlights the essential intersection of chronic illness, unmet human needs, and mental health.
Recommended Citation
Hargis, Heather L., "Understanding the Lived Experience of Mental Health Following an Alpha-Gal Syndrome Diagnosis: A Phenomenological Study Grounded in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs" (2025). Dissertations. 4.
https://repository.belmont.edu/mhc_dissertations/4
