An analysis of voice dialogues with the internal anorexic voice
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Interviewing ‘Ana’: Qualitative Analysis of Voice Dialogues with the Internal Anorexic Voice and Participants’ Experiences of Voice Dialogues
IRAS ID
251510
Contact name
Lucy Serpell
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
UCL Joint Research Office
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Z6364106/2019/02/114 , UCL Data Protection Registration Number
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 1 months, 30 days
Research summary
A significant portion of people with anorexia nervosa report experiencing an internal 'anorexic voice'. Research suggests that this voice may contribute to the development and maintenance of anorexia. Preliminary studies indicate that changing how individuals perceive, relate and respond to the anorexic voice may support recovery from anorexia.
Currently, it is unclear how the anorexic voice is best conceptualised and treated, and treatments for anorexia generally require improvement. Given that ‘voice dialogue’ is a psychological intervention found to be effective in understanding and working with internal voices in other conditions, it may also hold promise for understanding and treating anorexia.
This study has two components. Part one aims to investigate the anorexic voice's perspective on its role in the onset, development and maintenance of disordered eating. Qualitative data will be collected through a single voice dialogue session with each participant, in which the therapist/researcher has a conversation with the participant’s anorexic voice. Part two focuses on how the participant experiences this voice dialogue session, through qualitative analysis of a further interview with the participant.
REC name
London - Bloomsbury Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/LO/0793
Date of REC Opinion
8 Jul 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion