1
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Dowson M, Wohl MJA. The Long Shadow of Addiction-Related Nostalgia: Nostalgia Predicts Ambivalence and Undermines the Benefits of Optimism in Recovery. Subst Use Misuse 2024; 59:989-998. [PMID: 38353636 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2024.2310502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Background: Previous research has shown that nostalgia for the pre-addicted self can motivate people living with addiction to engage in behavior change. Objective: Herein, we explored nostalgia for the addictive behavior-labeled addiction-related nostalgia (ARN)-among people in recovery from engaging in addictive behavior. We tested the novel idea that ARN is positively associated with ambivalence about recovery. We also hypothesized that ARN may counteract the positive influence of optimism on individuals' commitment to recovery. Results: In two studies involving individuals in recovery from a gambling (Study 1; N=301) or alcohol use disorder (Study 2; N=604), ARN was linked to increased ambivalence about recovery, while optimism was associated with decreased ambivalence. As expected, the interaction between optimism and ARN revealed that nostalgia either eliminated (Study 1) or reduced (Study 2) the negative relation between optimism and ambivalence. Conclusions: These findings underscore the challenges posed by ARN in the recovery process and emphasize the importance of interventions that address and mitigate its impact while considering the moderating role of optimism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mackenzie Dowson
- Department of Psychology, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Michael J A Wohl
- Department of Psychology, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Mental Health and Well-Being Research and Training Hub, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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2
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Lotery E, Bell R, Combe G, Biddle L, Bould H. Qualitative study of the impact on recovery of peer relationships between female inpatients during treatment for anorexia nervosa in the United Kingdom. Int J Eat Disord 2024; 57:353-362. [PMID: 38062886 DOI: 10.1002/eat.24102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Admissions to hospitals for people with anorexia nervosa (AN) often last over 2 months, during which significant time is often spent with other patients, but there is little qualitative research on the impact on recovery of the inter-patient relationships. Our aim was to conduct qualitative interviews with people with a history of inpatient treatment for AN, focusing on the impact of interactions and relationships between patients during hospital admission on recovery, including short-term and long-term effects. METHOD We conducted nine semi-structured, one-to-one interviews, specifically exploring the helpful and unhelpful aspects of inter-patient relationships during inpatient treatment for AN. No type of relationship was either included or excluded. Participants were recruited as volunteers in response to an online advertisement; all who met the eligibility criteria were selected. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS Thematic analysis identified five themes: (1) comparison and justification, (2) learnt unhelpful behaviors, (3) dealing with distress, (4) compassion, and (5) role-modeling. All participants expressed conflicting feelings about their relationships with other patients, but generally described developing more resilience to negative effects as they got closer to recovery. Positive effects, such as compassion, appeared to hold significance long term in participants' recovered lives. DISCUSSION The detailed exploration of themes in this study provides a deeper understanding of inter-patient relationships during inpatient treatment for AN. This could aid clinical decision-making when choosing appropriate treatment settings for individual patients as well as informing clinical practice in hospital. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE This study closely examines the effect on recovery of relationships with other patients during hospital treatment for AN, a severe eating disorder. Findings might help hospital staff to understand the feelings of those they look after and develop ways to protect patients from the negative effects of peer relationships and enhance the positive ones, to support recovery in hospital.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gillian Combe
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
- South East Region NHS England, England, UK
| | - Lucy Biddle
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK
| | - Helen Bould
- Centre for Academic Mental Health, Population Health Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust, Gloucester, UK
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3
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Kiely L, Conti J, Hay P. Anorexia nervosa through the lens of a severe and enduring experience: 'lost in a big world'. J Eat Disord 2024; 12:12. [PMID: 38254163 PMCID: PMC10804804 DOI: 10.1186/s40337-023-00953-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Severe and enduring anorexia nervosa (SE-AN), is a serious and persistent illness, despite 'state of the art' treatment. Criteria have been theoretically proposed, but not tested, and may not adequately capture illness complexity, which potentially inhibits treatment refinements. The clinical reality of death as an outcome for some people who experience SE-AN (1 in 20) and broadening access to voluntary assisted dying, further complicates the field, which is undeveloped regarding more fundamental concepts such as nosology, treatment, recovery definitions and alternative conceptualisations of SE-AN. The present paper is in response to this and aims to build upon qualitative literature to enhance phenomenological understandings of fatal SE-AN. METHOD A published book, being the legacy of a 32-year-old professional artist offers a rich account of a life lived with AN, for 18 years with continuous treatment. A polysemous narrative via the interrelationship between the languages of the artist's words and visual art is translated via interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), offering rich insight into the SE-AN experience. FINDINGS The process of analysis induced three superordinate themes (1) Disappearing Self (2) Dialectical Dilemma (3) Death and Dying: Finding Meaning. Two cross cutting themes traversed these themes: (a) Colour and (b) Shifting Hope, where the former produced a visual representation via the 'SE-AN Kaleidoscope'. Collectively the themes produce a concept of SE-AN, grounded in the data and depicted visually through the artist's paintings. CONCLUSIONS The picture of SE-AN revealed in the analysis extends upon conceptualisations of SE-AN, highlighting key processes which are thus far under explored. These factors are implicated in illness persistence eliciting opportunities for further research testing including diagnostic considerations and treatment directions. In SE-AN, distorted body image extends to a global distortion in the perception of self. Additional criteria for the severe and enduring stages of illness related to (1) self and identity processes (2) measures of 'global impoverishment' across life domains are proposed for consideration in the future testing of putative defining features of SE-AN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Kiely
- School of Medicine, Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Janet Conti
- School of Psychology, Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Phillipa Hay
- School of Medicine, Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia
- Mental Health Services, Camden and Campbelltown Hospitals, SWSLHD, Campbeltown, NSW, 2560, Australia
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4
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Kiely L, Conti J, Hay P. Conceptualisation of severe and enduring anorexia nervosa: a qualitative meta-synthesis. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:606. [PMID: 37596588 PMCID: PMC10439651 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-05098-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Severe and enduring anorexia nervosa (SE-AN) is amongst the most impairing of all mental illnesses. Collective uncertainties about SE-AN nosology impacts treatment refinement. Qualitative research, particularly lived experience literature, can contribute to a process of revision and enrichment of understanding the SE-AN experience and further develop treatment interventions. Poor outcomes to date, as evidenced in clinical trials and mortality for people with SE-AN (1 in 20) demonstrate the need for research that informs conceptualisations and novel treatment directions. This interpretative, meta-ethnographic meta-synthesis aimed to bridge this gap. METHODS A systematic search for qualitative studies that explored the AN experiences of people with a duration of greater than 3 years was undertaken. These studies included those that encompassed phenomenology, treatment experiences and recovery. RESULTS 36 papers, comprising 382 voices of SE-AN experiences informed the meta-ethnographic findings. Four higher order constructs were generated through a synthesis of themes and participant extracts cited in the extracted papers: (1) Vulnerable sense of self (2) Intra-psychic processes (3) Global impoverishment (4) Inter-psychic temporal processes. Running across these meta-themes were three cross cutting themes (i) Treatment: help versus harm, (ii) Shifts in control (iii) Hope versus hopelessness. These meta-themes were integrated into conceptualisations of SE-AN that was experienced as a recursive process of existential self-in-relation to other and the anorexia nervosa trap. CONCLUSIONS The alternative conceptualisation of SE-AN proposed in this paper poses a challenge to current conceptualisations of AN and calls for treatments to engage with the complex intra and inter-psychic processes of the SE-AN, more fully. In doing so, clinicians and researchers are asked to continue to be bold in testing novel ideas that may challenge our own rigidity and attachment to dominant paradigms to best serve the individual person with SE-AN. The 'global impoverishment of self', found in this synthesis of AN experiences, should inform proposed diagnostic criteria for SE-AN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Kiely
- School of Medicine, Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Janet Conti
- School of Psychology, Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Phillipa Hay
- School of Medicine, Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University. Mental Health Services, Camden and Campbelltown Hospitals, SWSLHD, Campbeltown, NSW, Australia
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Rankin R, Conti J, Touyz S, Arcelus J, Meyer C, Hay P. Dancing with change: a qualitative exploration of in-session motivation to change in the treatment of anorexia nervosa. AUSTRALIAN PSYCHOLOGIST 2023. [DOI: 10.1080/00050067.2022.2151338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Rebekah Rankin
- School of Social Sciences and Psychology, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia
- Translational Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Janet Conti
- School of Social Sciences and Psychology, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Stephen Touyz
- Clinical Psychology Unit, School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- InsideOut Institute, Level 2, Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Jon Arcelus
- Institute of Mental Health, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Caroline Meyer
- WMG and Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Phillipa Hay
- Translational Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia
- Campbelltown Hospital, South West Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD), Sydney, Australia
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Manning M, Greenfield S. University students' understanding and opinions of eating disorders: a qualitative study. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e056391. [PMID: 35906058 PMCID: PMC9344994 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-056391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Eating disorders (EDs) affect 1.25 million people in the UK. Evidence suggests the public display stigma and poor mental health literacy (MHL) towards EDs. There is a high prevalence of EDs in university populations, so it is important to determine the MHL of this at-risk group. Qualitative research exploring the MHL of this population is incomplete. OBJECTIVE Explore university students' beliefs and opinions of EDs, their knowledge of symptoms, treatment and help sources and how these are influenced by biological sex. DESIGN A qualitative study, using semistructured interviews analysed using inductive thematic analysis. SETTING The University of Birmingham. PARTICIPANTS Seven female and seven male University of Birmingham students. RESULTS Analysis revealed six themes, each with subthemes: ED characteristics, causes, body image, seeking help, stigma and awareness. Students displayed poor awareness towards ED signs and symptoms, causes and help sources. Students were not stigmatising towards EDs, but many perceived them as a female problem and believed society to be stigmatising. Many referenced informal sources of information such as social media and expressed a desire for ED teaching. Sex did not have a significant influence on knowledge or opinions of EDs in this study; however, there were some differences, for example, some males were more likely to see EDs as a weakness and to perceive themselves as having low levels of knowledge. CONCLUSIONS University students show broad awareness of EDs; however, knowledge of certain aspects of ED-MHL including help sources and symptom recognition was lacking. Although students were not stigmatising of EDs themselves, many perceived high levels of public stigma. This, alongside poor knowledge, may delay help-seeking. Campaigns educating students and the public about EDs would aid earlier diagnosis, improving long-term outcomes. Further research into awareness and knowledge in other populations would be beneficial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Millie Manning
- College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Sheila Greenfield
- Institute of Applied Health Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
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7
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Goh AQY, Lo NYW, Davis C, Chew ECS. #EatingDisorderRecovery: a qualitative content analysis of eating disorder recovery-related posts on Instagram. Eat Weight Disord 2022; 27:1535-1545. [PMID: 34537927 DOI: 10.1007/s40519-021-01279-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Limited research has evaluated the role of Social Networking Sites (SNS) in eating disorder (ED) recovery. While research has demonstrated the deleterious effects of pro-ED SNS content, less is known regarding SNS content documenting ED recovery. This study evaluates orientation towards help-seeking, ongoing ED warning signs and recovery themes on ED recovery SNS hashtags. METHODS 600 Instagram posts were retrieved from two popular hashtags: #EDrecovery and #EatingDisorderRecovery. They were categorized into four thematic concerns: Food, Quotes, People or Others. Posts were analysed for behavioural and psychological signs of ED based on the Mental Health First Aid Eating Disorders Guidelines, and whether they encouraged seeking professional help. Thematic qualitative analysis to evaluate themes posted on recovery hashtags was conducted. RESULTS Of the 600 posts, 405 were used for analysis. The majority of posts were on Food (49.6%), Quotes (24.2%) and People (22.7%). Behavioural and psychological signs suggestive of EDs were present in 18.0% and 22.5% of images, respectively. Only 9.4% of posts encouraged seeking professional help. Important themes that emerged from the qualitative analysis included the recovery journey, increased awareness and stigma for EDs and the development of a supportive community. CONCLUSIONS Despite identifying with ED recovery, posts had a high prevalence of ongoing ED behaviour and low prevalence of help-seeking. Thematic analysis emphasized the role of recovery as a journey and the role of stigma and community in recovery. These findings suggest that SNSs could potentially be leveraged as a platform to improve help-seeking and encourage recovery for users with eating disorders. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level V, descriptive study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Qi Yang Goh
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, 11 Mandalay Rd, Singapore, 308232, Singapore
| | - Nicholas Yong Wai Lo
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, 11 Mandalay Rd, Singapore, 308232, Singapore
| | - Courtney Davis
- Adolescent Medicine Service, Department of Paediatrics, KK Women & Children's Hospital, 100 Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore, 229899, Singapore
| | - Elaine Chu Shan Chew
- Adolescent Medicine Service, Department of Paediatrics, KK Women & Children's Hospital, 100 Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore, 229899, Singapore.
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8
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Stewart CS, Baudinet J, Munuve A, Bell A, Konstantellou A, Eisler I, Simic M. From efficacy to effectiveness: child and adolescent eating disorder treatments in the real world (Part 2): 7-year follow-up. J Eat Disord 2022; 10:14. [PMID: 35123587 PMCID: PMC8817149 DOI: 10.1186/s40337-022-00535-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Eating disorders are often characterised as disabling, chronic or relapsing conditions with high mortality rates. This study reports follow-up outcomes for patients seen at the Maudsley Centre for Child and Adolescent Eating Disorders (MCCAED), whose end of treatment outcomes are reported in a separate paper. METHODS Three-hundred-and-fifty-seven former patients, who received evidence-based treatment for an eating disorder as a child or adolescent in MCCAED between 2009 and 2014 were eligible to participate. Current contact information was available for 290, of whom 149 (51.4%) consented to follow-up. Participants were sent links to online questionnaires, with additional demographic information extracted from medical records. Descriptive analyses of key socioeconomic and health outcomes were performed on data collected. RESULTS Mean length of follow-up was 6 years 11 months. Ten (6.7%) participants reported a current diagnosis of an eating disorder at follow-up. The great majority reported no (63.8%) or minimal (26.8%) interference from eating disorder difficulties. More than half (53.6%) reported other mental health diagnoses with most reporting no (33.8%) or minimal (50.7%) interference from those difficulties. One third (33.3%) had sought help for an eating disorder and around 20% received prolonged/intensive treatment during the follow-up period. Approximately 70% had sought treatment for other mental health difficulties (mostly anxiety or depression) and 35.4% had substantial treatment. At follow-up more than half (55.5%) reported doing generally well, and around two-thirds reported general satisfaction with their social well-being (65%). The majority (62.7%) had a good outcome on the Morgan Russell criteria, which was consistent with low self-reported ratings on EDE-Q, and low impact of eating disorder or mental health symptoms on work and social engagement. Most of the former patients who had day and/or inpatient treatment as a part of their comprehensive integrated care at MCCAED did well at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Young people seen in specialist eating disorder services do relatively well after discharge at longer-term follow-up especially regarding eating disorders but less favourably regarding other mental health difficulties. Few reported a diagnosable eating disorder, and the great majority went on to perform similarly to their peers in educational and vocational achievements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine S Stewart
- Maudsley Centre for Child and Adolescent Eating Disorders (MCCAED), Maudsley Hospital, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 8AZ, UK
| | - Julian Baudinet
- Maudsley Centre for Child and Adolescent Eating Disorders (MCCAED), Maudsley Hospital, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 8AZ, UK
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London, 16 De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Alfonce Munuve
- Maudsley Centre for Child and Adolescent Eating Disorders (MCCAED), Maudsley Hospital, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 8AZ, UK
| | - Antonia Bell
- Maudsley Centre for Child and Adolescent Eating Disorders (MCCAED), Maudsley Hospital, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 8AZ, UK
| | - Anna Konstantellou
- Maudsley Centre for Child and Adolescent Eating Disorders (MCCAED), Maudsley Hospital, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 8AZ, UK
| | - Ivan Eisler
- Maudsley Centre for Child and Adolescent Eating Disorders (MCCAED), Maudsley Hospital, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 8AZ, UK
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London, 16 De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Mima Simic
- Maudsley Centre for Child and Adolescent Eating Disorders (MCCAED), Maudsley Hospital, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 8AZ, UK.
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Bryant E, Aouad P, Hambleton A, Touyz S, Maguire S. 'In an otherwise limitless world, I was sure of my limit.' † Experiencing Anorexia Nervosa: A phenomenological metasynthesis. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:894178. [PMID: 35978851 PMCID: PMC9376373 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.894178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Anorexia Nervosa (AN) has the highest mortality rate of the mental disorders, with still less than 50% of affected individuals achieving recovery. Recent calls to bring innovative, empirical research strategies to the understanding of illness and its core psychopathological features highlight the need to address significant paucity of efficacious treatment. The current study brings a phenomenological approach to this challenge, synthesizing lived experience phenomena as described by qualitative literature. Fifty-three studies published between the years 1998 and 2021 comprising a total of 1557 participants aged 12-66 suffering from AN or sub-threshold AN are included. Reciprocal and refutational analysis generated six key third-order constructs: "emotion experienced as overwhelming," "identity," "AN as a tool," "internal conflict relating to Anorexia," "interpersonal communication difficulties" and "corporeality." Twenty-six sub-themes were identified, the most common being fear, avoidance, AN as guardian/protector, and AN as intertwined with identity. Some themes associated with current treatment models such as low self-esteem, need for social approval and feelings of fatness were less common. We highlight the significant role of intense and confusing emotion in AN, which is both rooted in and engenders amplified fear and anxiety. Restrictive eating functions to numb these feelings and withdraw an individual from a chaotic and threatening world whilst providing a sense of self around which to build an illness identity. Results have implications for therapeutic practice and overly protective weight and shape focused medical treatment models, which may serve to reinforce the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Bryant
- InsideOut Institute for Eating Disorders, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Phillip Aouad
- InsideOut Institute for Eating Disorders, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Ashlea Hambleton
- InsideOut Institute for Eating Disorders, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Stephen Touyz
- InsideOut Institute for Eating Disorders, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.,Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sarah Maguire
- InsideOut Institute for Eating Disorders, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.,Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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10
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Bullivant B, Rhydderch S, Griffiths S, Mitchison D, Mond JM. Eating disorders "mental health literacy": a scoping review. J Ment Health 2020; 29:336-349. [PMID: 32041463 DOI: 10.1080/09638237.2020.1713996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Background: While it is apparent that much has been learned about "mental health literacy" (MHL) relating to certain mental health problems, such as depression, in recent years, what has been learned about MHL relating to eating disorders (ED-MHL) is unclear.Aims: A scoping review was conducted to inform the current state of knowledge in this field.Methods: A systematic search of relevant literature published between 1997 and 2017 was followed by a narrative synthesis of the findings.Results: The number of eligible studies increased from 32 in 1997-2001 to 98 in 2012-2017 (total = 264). Most studies originated from North America or Europe, recruited individuals with EDs receiving treatment or college students and included both female and male or only female participants. The majority of studies examined MHL relating to anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa and examined attitudes which facilitate recognition and appropriate help-seeking and knowledge and beliefs about professional help available.Conclusion: Interest in ED-MHL is increasing and there is now a considerable body of research addressing some aspects of ED-MHL in a range of study populations. Notable gaps in the literature exist, including a paucity of information about ED-MHL relating to EDs other than anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, ED behaviour in males and the use of self-help interventions. We hope the findings will provide an incentive to further research in these and other aspects of ED-MHL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Bullivant
- Faculty of Medicine, Boden Institute of Obesity, Nutrition, Exercise and Eating Disorders, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Suzie Rhydderch
- Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Scott Griffiths
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Deborah Mitchison
- Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.,School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Jonathan M Mond
- Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.,Centre for Rural Health, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Australia
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11
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O'Connor C, McNamara N, O'Hara L, McNicholas M, McNicholas F. How do people with eating disorders experience the stigma associated with their condition? A mixed-methods systematic review. J Ment Health 2019; 30:454-469. [PMID: 31711324 DOI: 10.1080/09638237.2019.1685081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Public opinion research shows that eating disorders (EDs) are a major target of stigmatisation. To understand the implications of this stigma, research investigating how stigma is experienced by individuals with EDs is critical. AIM This paper aims to collate, evaluate and synthesise the extant empirical research illuminating how people with EDs experience the stigma associated with their condition. METHOD A systematic mixed-methods literature search was performed. Articles that met a specified set of inclusion criteria underwent a quality assessment and thematic synthesis. RESULTS Twenty-nine articles were included in the review. Studies were mostly qualitative and of reasonable methodological quality. The literature was characterised by five research themes, illuminating (i) the nature and prevalence of stigma experienced, (ii) stigma in families, (iii) stigma in healthcare contexts, (iv) self-stigmatisation and illness concealment, and (v) stigma resistance. CONCLUSIONS The reviewed research showed that people with EDs have extensive experience of stigma in diverse settings. They report that stigma has negative implications for their psychological wellbeing and likelihood of help-seeking. However, research also shows that people with EDs actively seek to resist and challenge stigma. The review identifies the outstanding gaps and weaknesses in this literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cliodhna O'Connor
- School of Psychology, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,School of Medicine & Medical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Niamh McNamara
- Department of Psychology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK
| | - Lesley O'Hara
- School of Medicine & Medical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,St. John of God Hospitaller Services, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - Fiona McNicholas
- School of Medicine & Medical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,St. John of God Hospitaller Services, Dublin, Ireland.,Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, Ireland
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12
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Henderson ZB, Fox JR, Trayner P, Wittkowski A. Emotional development in eating disorders: A qualitative metasynthesis. Clin Psychol Psychother 2019; 26:440-457. [PMID: 30889630 PMCID: PMC6766861 DOI: 10.1002/cpp.2365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Revised: 02/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Emotions are considered to be an important feature in eating disorders. The present study aimed to conduct a systematic review and metasynthesis of qualitative studies, which considered the role of emotions in eating disorders in order to gain further insight on how these individuals experience various emotions and the strategies they use to manage them. Databases including Web of Science, PsychInfo, EMBASE, Medline, and the Cochrane library were searched for qualitative studies. The search identified 16 relevant studies. Meta-ethnography was used to synthesize the data, which involved identifying the key findings and concepts of the studies and creating metaphors. The synthesis involved reciprocal translations and lines of argument approaches being applied to the present data. Results of the synthesis identified four second-order themes and one third-order theme relating to the emotional experiences of such individuals. The second-order themes were (a) negative emotional environments, (b) interpersonal vulnerability, (c) the experience of negative emotions in social contexts, and (d) the management of emotions. The third-order theme was the emotional self within a social environment. This is the first metasynthesis on emotions and eating disorders, and our synthesis highlights the important role that emotions play in the development and maintenance of eating disorders. Our model demonstrates how poor emotional development whilst growing up results in development of poor socioemotional bonds and the inability to handle negative emotions. The most significant finding of the review is that individuals use their eating disorder to manage negative emotions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziporah B. Henderson
- Division of Psychology and Mental Health, School of Health SciencesUniversity of ManchesterManchesterUK
| | | | - Penny Trayner
- Division of Psychology and Mental Health, School of Health SciencesUniversity of ManchesterManchesterUK
| | - Anja Wittkowski
- Division of Psychology and Mental Health, School of Health SciencesUniversity of ManchesterManchesterUK
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation TrustManchesterUK
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review delineates issues in the conceptualization and operationalization of eating disorder recovery, highlights recent findings about recovery (since 2016), and proposes future directions. RECENT FINDINGS A longstanding problem in the field is that there are almost as many different definitions of recovery in eating disorders as there are studies on the topic. Yet, there has been a general shift to accepting that psychological/cognitive symptoms are important to recovery in addition to physical and behavioral indices. Further, several operationalizations of recovery have been proposed over the past two decades, and some efforts to validate operationalizations exist. However, this work has had limited impact and uptake, such that the field is suffering from "broken record syndrome," where calls are made for universal definitions time and time again. It is critical that proposed operationalizations be compared empirically to help arrive at a consensus definition and that institutional/organizational support help facilitate this. Themes in recent recovery research include identifying predictors, examining biological/neuropsychological factors, and considering severe and enduring anorexia nervosa. From qualitative research, those who have experienced eating disorders highlight recovery as a journey, as well as factors such as hope, self-acceptance, and benefiting from support from others as integral to the process of recovery. The field urgently needs to implement a universal definition of recovery that is backed by evidence, that can parsimoniously be implemented in clinical practice, and that will lead to greater harmonization of scientific findings.
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