There are over 700,000 individuals living with Crohn's disease in the United States. Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel illness that can have debilitating effects on individuals and their partners. There is ample literature on the various medical effects of Crohn's disease on the diagnosed individual but a dearth of literature on how Crohn's disease affects young adult individuals and their partners. This dissertation endeavors to fill this gap in the literature. Through Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, this study explores how an individual's diagnosis of Crohn's disease is perceived to affect the couple relationship and young adult life-cycle transitions. From this study, healthcare providers can better understand how the numerous physical symptoms of Crohn's disease cause psychological and social implications for the diagnosed individual and partner. This understanding will allow healthcare providers to complete couple level clinical assessment and increase systemic interventions, promoting greater resilience among young adult couples. / Ph. D. / Crohn’s disease is a chronic illness that is currently affecting over 700,000 Americans, and is most often diagnosed in early adulthood. This disease frequently causes inflammation and irritation to any part of the gastrointestinal tract and most often affects the lower end of the small intestines. There are many studies that highlight the various medical effects of Crohn’s disease on the diagnosed individual but there are few studies identifying how Crohn’s disease affects young adult individuals and their partners. This study begins to fill this lack of understanding. Through interviewing young adult couples, this study explores how an individual’s diagnosis of Crohn’s disease is perceived to affect the couple relationship and young adult life-cycle transitions. From this study, healthcare providers can better understand how the physical symptoms of Crohn’s disease cause psychological and social implications for diagnosed individuals and their partners. This understanding will allow healthcare providers to complete couple level clinical assessments and increase interventions that positively affect the diagnosed individuals and their partners, increasing more positive coping among young adult couples.