Feminist approaches to anorexia nervosa: a qualitative study of a treatment group

Holmes, Su ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4243-8337, Drake, Sarah, Odgers, Kelsey and Wilson, Jon (2017) Feminist approaches to anorexia nervosa: a qualitative study of a treatment group. Journal of Eating Disorders, 5. ISSN 2050-2974

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Abstract

Background: Eating disorders (EDs) are now often approached as biopsychosocial problems. But it has been suggested by scholars interested in sociocultural factors that all is not equal within this biospsychosocial framework, with the ‘social’ aspects of the equation relegated to secondary factors within ED treatment contexts. Although sociocultural influences are well-established as risk factors for EDs, the exploration of whether or how such perspectives are useful in treatment has been little explored. In responding to this context, this article seeks to discuss and evaluate a 10 week closed group intervention based on feminist approaches to EDs at a residential eating disorder clinic in the East of England. Methods: The data was collected via one-to-one qualitative interviews and then analysed using thematic discourse analysis. Results: The participants suggested that the groups were helpful in enabling them to situate their problem within a broader cultural and group context, that they could operate as a form of ‘protection’ from ideologies regarding femininity, and that a focus on the societal contexts for EDs could potentially reduce feelings of self-blame. At the same time, the research pointed to the complexities of participants considering societal rather than individualised explanations for their problems, whilst it also confronted the implications of ambivalent responses toward feminism. Conclusions: Highly visible sociocultural factors in EDs – such as gender - may often be overlooked in ED clinical contexts. Although based on limited data, this research raises questions about the marginalisation of sociocultural factors in treatment, and the benefits and challenges including the latter may involve.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	treatment,anorexia nervosa,group,gender,feminism,sociocultural,qualitative,sdg 5 - gender equality ,/dk/atira/pure/sustainabledevelopmentgoals/gender_equality
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Arts and Humanities > School of Art, Media and American Studies (former - to 2024) Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > School of Health Sciences
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Arts and Humanities > Research Groups > Film, Television and Media
Depositing User:	Pure Connector
Date Deposited:	14 Jul 2017 05:06
Last Modified:	25 Sep 2024 12:51
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/64112
DOI:	10.1186/s40337-017-0166-y

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