Study Exploring Experiences of Parents with Eating Disorders
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploration of the Experiences of Parents with an Eating Disorder during their Journey within a Mental Health Service and the Impact on their Children.
IRAS ID
270730
Contact name
Hope Hodgson-King
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Surrey
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 7 months, 27 days
Research summary
Exploration of the Experiences of Parents with an Eating Disorder during their Journey within a Mental Health Service and the Impact on their Children.
In recognition of the significant research in eating disorder literature and an intervention gap for parents with eating disorders, the proposed research study aims to explore the experiences of parents with eating disorders during their journey within a mental health service. The study aims to recruit parents with eating disorder experience who have engaged in a UK Eating Disorder Service within the past 3 years.
The study will use semi-structured interviews which focuses on participants' experience of parenting with an eating disorder, their journey within a mental health service and support required for parents and their families. Interviews will take place face-face. Recruitment will be accessed via a UK NHS Eating Disorder Service.
As such the study aims to answer the following questions:
1.What is the experience of parents with eating disorders during their journey within a mental health service?
2)What are parents with eating disorders experience of psychological interventions and support in mental health services for both their eating disorder and parenting?
3)What are parents with eating disorders perceptions of the impact of their eating disorder on their children?
4)What further support do parents with eating disorders feel they and their children would benefit from?
Such outcomes hope to inform parents’ experiences of current psychological interventions and the direction for future parenting interventions in the Eating Disorder Service, thus aiding awareness, early intervention and bridging a gap in the eating disorder literature.
The Chief Investigator is an employee of Surrey and Borders Partnership Trust who is undertaking a Clinical Psychology doctorate at Surrey University. The research has been approved in principle by the university.Research Summary:
This study provided unique understanding into the experiences of parents with ED within mental health services and their coping mechanisms. The themes highlighted the resilience of these parents, providing important insight into how they have adapted to their parenting identity and managed their ED, despite the unique challenges highlighted for this population. The findings further highlighted open-ended questionnaires as an appropriate method tool to allow increased accessibility and participation for parents with ED in future research. The study highlighted a need for tailored healthcare support amongst this population. The researcher proposed future support for parents with ED should adopt a strength-based approach which draws on their resilience, resources, and identity as a parent to aid ED recovery.
REC name
South Central - Berkshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/SC/0631
Date of REC Opinion
20 Dec 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion