“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
Abstract Background Eating 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 experien...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-08-01
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| Series: | Journal of Eating Disorders |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-023-00868-y |
| _version_ | 1797578677144256512 |
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| author | Laura Chapman Sam Cartwright-Hatton Kathryn J. Lester |
| author_facet | Laura Chapman Sam Cartwright-Hatton Kathryn J. Lester |
| author_sort | Laura Chapman |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Eating 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. Method A 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. Results Data 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. Conclusions The 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. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T22:25:11Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-79b71818cda44e409e2bf208bc898299 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2050-2974 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T22:25:11Z |
| publishDate | 2023-08-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Eating Disorders |
| spelling | doaj.art-79b71818cda44e409e2bf208bc8982992023-11-19T12:07:40ZengBMCJournal of Eating Disorders2050-29742023-08-0111111210.1186/s40337-023-00868-y“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 disordersLaura Chapman0Sam Cartwright-Hatton1Kathryn J. Lester2School of Psychology, University of SussexSchool of Psychology, University of SussexSchool of Psychology, University of SussexAbstract Background Eating 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. Method A 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. Results Data 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. Conclusions The 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.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-023-00868-yEating disordersParental mental healthParentingQualitativeThematic analysis |
| spellingShingle | Laura Chapman Sam Cartwright-Hatton Kathryn J. Lester “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 Eating disorders Parental mental health Parenting Qualitative Thematic analysis |
| title | “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 |
| title_full | “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 |
| title_fullStr | “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 |
| title_full_unstemmed | “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 |
| title_short | “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 |
| title_sort | 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 |
| topic | Eating disorders Parental mental health Parenting Qualitative Thematic analysis |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-023-00868-y |
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