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Papastavrou Brooks C, Kafle E, Butt N, Chawner D, Day A, Elsby-Pearson C, Elson E, Hammond J, Herbert P, Jenkins CL, Johnson Z, Keith-Roach SH, Papasileka E, Reeves S, Stewart N, Gilbert N, Startup H. Co-producing principles to guide health research: an illustrative case study from an eating disorder research clinic. RESEARCH INVOLVEMENT AND ENGAGEMENT 2023; 9:84. [PMID: 37730642 PMCID: PMC10510247 DOI: 10.1186/s40900-023-00460-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is significant value in co-produced health research, however power-imbalances within research teams can pose a barrier to people with lived experience of an illness determining the direction of research in that area. This is especially true in eating disorder research, where the inclusion of co-production approaches lags other research areas. Appealing to principles or values can serve to ground collaborative working. Despite this, there has not been any prior attempt to co-produce principles to guide the work of a research group and serve as a basis for developing future projects. METHODS The aim of this piece of work was to co-produce a set of principles to guide the conduct of research within our lived experience led research clinic, and to offer an illustrative case for the value of this as a novel co-production methodology. A lived experience panel were recruited to our eating disorder research group. Through an iterative series of workshops with the members of our research clinic (composed of a lived experience panel, clinicians, and researchers) we developed a set of principles which we agreed were important in ensuring both the direction of our research, and the way in which we wanted to work together. RESULTS Six key principles were developed using this process. They were that research should aim to be: 1) real world-offering a clear and concrete benefit to people with eating disorders, 2) tailored-suitable for marginalised groups and people with atypical diagnoses, 3) hopeful-ensuring that hope for recovery was centred in treatment, 4) experiential-privileging the 'voice' of people with eating disorders, 5) broad-encompassing non-standard therapeutic treatments and 6) democratic-co-produced by people with lived experience of eating disorders. CONCLUSIONS We reflect on some of the positives as well as limitations of the process, highlighting the importance of adequate funding for longer-term co-production approaches to be taken, and issues around ensuring representation of minority groups. We hope that other health research groups will see the value in co-producing principles to guide research in their own fields, and will adapt, develop, and refine this novel methodology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cat Papastavrou Brooks
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Canynge Hall, 39 Whatley Road, Bristol, BS8 2PS, UK.
- SPIRED Clinic, Research and Development Department, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Sussex Education Centre, Nevill Avenue, Hove, BN3 7HZ, UK.
| | - Eshika Kafle
- SPIRED Clinic, Research and Development Department, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Sussex Education Centre, Nevill Avenue, Hove, BN3 7HZ, UK
| | - Natali Butt
- SPIRED Clinic, Research and Development Department, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Sussex Education Centre, Nevill Avenue, Hove, BN3 7HZ, UK
| | - Dave Chawner
- SPIRED Clinic, Research and Development Department, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Sussex Education Centre, Nevill Avenue, Hove, BN3 7HZ, UK
- Comedy for Coping, Aesthetics Research Centre, University of Kent, Room 2.16, Jarman Building, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7UG, UK
| | - Anna Day
- SPIRED Clinic, Research and Development Department, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Sussex Education Centre, Nevill Avenue, Hove, BN3 7HZ, UK
| | - Chloë Elsby-Pearson
- SPIRED Clinic, Research and Development Department, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Sussex Education Centre, Nevill Avenue, Hove, BN3 7HZ, UK
| | - Emily Elson
- SPIRED Clinic, Research and Development Department, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Sussex Education Centre, Nevill Avenue, Hove, BN3 7HZ, UK
| | - John Hammond
- SPIRED Clinic, Research and Development Department, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Sussex Education Centre, Nevill Avenue, Hove, BN3 7HZ, UK
| | - Penny Herbert
- SPIRED Clinic, Research and Development Department, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Sussex Education Centre, Nevill Avenue, Hove, BN3 7HZ, UK
| | - Catherine L Jenkins
- SPIRED Clinic, Research and Development Department, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Sussex Education Centre, Nevill Avenue, Hove, BN3 7HZ, UK
| | - Zach Johnson
- SPIRED Clinic, Research and Development Department, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Sussex Education Centre, Nevill Avenue, Hove, BN3 7HZ, UK
| | - Sarah Helen Keith-Roach
- SPIRED Clinic, Research and Development Department, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Sussex Education Centre, Nevill Avenue, Hove, BN3 7HZ, UK
| | - Eirini Papasileka
- SPIRED Clinic, Research and Development Department, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Sussex Education Centre, Nevill Avenue, Hove, BN3 7HZ, UK
- Department of Psychology, City, University of London, Northampton Square, London, EC1V 0HB, UK
| | - Stella Reeves
- SPIRED Clinic, Research and Development Department, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Sussex Education Centre, Nevill Avenue, Hove, BN3 7HZ, UK
- School of Human and Behavioural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, LL57 2DG, UK
| | - Natasha Stewart
- SPIRED Clinic, Research and Development Department, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Sussex Education Centre, Nevill Avenue, Hove, BN3 7HZ, UK
| | - Nicola Gilbert
- SPIRED Clinic, Research and Development Department, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Sussex Education Centre, Nevill Avenue, Hove, BN3 7HZ, UK
- Maudsley Learning, ORTUS Conferencing and Events Venue, 82-96 Grove Lane, London, SE5 8SN, UK
| | - Helen Startup
- SPIRED Clinic, Research and Development Department, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Sussex Education Centre, Nevill Avenue, Hove, BN3 7HZ, UK
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LaMarre A, Levine MP, Holmes S, Malson H. An open invitation to productive conversations about feminism and the spectrum of eating disorders (part 1): basic principles of feminist approaches. J Eat Disord 2022; 10:54. [PMID: 35440011 PMCID: PMC9020002 DOI: 10.1186/s40337-022-00532-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the long history of feminist research in the field and the clear relevance of questions of gender to this sphere, many continue to question the relevance of feminism for understanding and treating eating disorders in 2022. In this set of two papers, we explore some of the tensions, omissions and misconceptions which surround feminist approaches to eating disorders. At the core of these two papers is our assertion that such approaches can make significant contributions in the eating disorders field along six key lines: enriching the science of eating disorders, unpacking diagnostics, contextualizing treatment and prevention, attending to lived experiences, diversifying methodologies, and situating recoveries. In this first paper, we outline what feminist approaches are and dig into some key tensions that arise when feminist approaches come to the table. These include critiques of sociocultural approaches to understanding eating disorders, the relationship between feminist approaches and biological and genetic attributions for eating disorders, and the role of men. We then offer a key contribution that feminist approaches have made to eating disorders scholarship: an invitation to unpack diagnostic approaches and situate eating disorders within the landscape of food, weight, and shape concerns in the twenty-first century.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea LaMarre
- School of Psychology, Massey University Auckland, Private Bag 102904, North Shore, Auckland, 0745, New Zealand.
| | | | - Su Holmes
- University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
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Richardson C, Paslakis G. Men's experiences of eating disorder treatment: A qualitative systematic review of men-only studies. J Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs 2021; 28:237-250. [PMID: 32608115 DOI: 10.1111/jpm.12670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: There is a widespread perception that eating disorders are predominantly women´s illnesses. Most studies in the field of eating disorders include predominantly women. Current eating disorder programmes are tailored to meet women´s needs. At the same time, studies show that the rate of eating disorders among men is rising. Men tend to seek help for their eating disorder late in the course of their illness; even when they do seek treatment, they run risk of being undiagnosed by health professionals. WHAT THE PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: We assessed the current knowledge on how men think and feel about their eating disorders and explored how this may affect their help-seeking behaviours and how they go about managing their eating disorders. Men experience unique symptoms and issues that may translate into unique treatment needs. There is a call to re-evaluate the current status quo for men with eating disorders regarding access to and receiving treatment for their eating disorders. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: It is becoming an increasing priority to effectively treat men with eating disorders. Men need to be recognized as stakeholders in eating disorder-associated health care delivery. Healthcare professionals should receive training about the nature of eating disorders in men. Eating disorder-specific treatments will require adaptations to mirror the needs of individuals rather than particular gender/sex entities. ABSTRACT: Objective Despite the widespread perception that eating disorders (EDs) are predominantly experienced by women and girls, the incidence rate among men has risen substantially in recent years. Men may face unique challenges accessing treatment, which can negatively affect prognosis. The present paper aimed to review men's thoughts and feelings about their ED, and their experiences of ED treatment. Method We conducted a systematic search for qualitative articles focusing on the treatment experiences of men with EDs. Results Nine studies met inclusion criteria. Key themes that emerged across the studies were as follows: (a) recognition of the ED, (b) help-seeking, (c) treatment characteristics and (d) patient characteristics. Given that EDs are widely regarded to exclusively affect women and girls, men were reluctant to recognize their EDs, faced minimization of their symptoms by health professionals and had difficulty finding treatments that were tailored to their unique needs and preferences as men. Conclusions The present findings may serve as reference points to design future ED-specific interventions that are more inclusive of men. Further studies are needed to explore the differential experiences of men across diagnostic categories and treatment types, as well as elucidate the potential role of men-only services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Candice Richardson
- Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Georgios Paslakis
- Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Lyons G, McAndrew S, Warne T. Disappearing in a Female World: Men's Experiences of Having an Eating Disorder (ED) and How It Impacts Their Lives. Issues Ment Health Nurs 2019; 40:557-566. [PMID: 31066592 DOI: 10.1080/01612840.2019.1576815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The number of men diagnosed with anorexia has increased, men now representing 25% of those with eating disorders (EDs). Research has mainly been quantitative and female focused, with only two qualitative studies exploring the experiences of men. This study focused on the lived experiences of men diagnosed with an ED, and its impact on 'everyday' aspects of their lives. Qualitative research adopting narrative interviews was conducted with seven men aged 23-34 years old. Narrative analysis was used to interpret each individual story, with thematic analysis used to explore commonalities across all seven narratives. Four themes were identified, 1) The Final John Doe; 2) Help! I need somebody - Bedlam revisited; 3) Masculinity; 4) Not Working 9 to 5. Narratives highlight the need for further research if men are to receive appropriate mental health care and better understanding and acceptance on the part of society, service providers, employers and men themselves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gareth Lyons
- a University of Salford, School of Health and Society , Greater Manchester , United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Sue McAndrew
- a University of Salford, School of Health and Society , Greater Manchester , United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Tony Warne
- a University of Salford, School of Health and Society , Greater Manchester , United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
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