“I think it is woven through me, and sadly that means it is woven through our family life”: the experiences and support needs of mothers with eating disorders

Journal of Eating Disorders

Research

Kathryn J. Lester¹  Laura Chapman¹  Sam Cartwright-Hatton¹ 

[1] School of Psychology, University of Sussex, BN1 9QH, Falmer, Brighton, UK;

关键词: Eating disorders;    Parental mental health;    Parenting;    Qualitative;    Thematic analysis;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s40337-023-00868-y

 received in 2023-06-08, accepted in 2023-08-11,  发布年份 2023

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundEating disorders may disrupt parenting, and there is evidence to suggest that the children of parents with eating disorders are at greater risk for the development of eating disorders themselves. This study sought to broaden and extend current understandings of the lived experiences of mothers who have eating disorders.MethodA qualitative study using thematic analysis was conducted. Eighteen mothers living in the UK, USA, and Australia took part in semi-structured online interviews. Participants were mothers to at least one child aged two years or older, had received a lifetime diagnosis of one or more eating disorders, and reported experiencing symptoms since becoming a parent.ResultsData were analysed using an inductive approach to reflexive thematic analysis. Four major themes, each with subthemes, were identified. These were: parenthood as a double-edged sword; the eating disorder impacts on parenting; blame and burden; and seeking support.ConclusionsThe lived experiences of mothers indicate a complex relationship between eating disorders and parenthood. While parenting can impact eating disorders, eating disorders can also impact parenting, in a range of ways that extend beyond the domains of food, eating and the body. There is a pressing need for the development of specialised, non-judgemental support options for parents with eating disorders and their families.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© BioMed Central Ltd., part of Springer Nature 2023

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