The impact of the cost of caring for a child with an eating disorder
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring the impact of the financial cost on parents/carers experiences of accessing treatment and caring for a child with an eating disorder
IRAS ID
317511
Contact name
Hannah Shaw
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Royal Holloway University of London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
00000000, 00000000
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 31 days
Research summary
Eating Disorders (EDs) are responsible for more deaths than any other mental health condition, and incur significant costs for society, healthcare systems, sufferers, and carers. Research has found that financial costs impede access to treatment and cost-related non-adherence has been associated with poorer quality of life and a more threatening perception of the illness. Furthermore, financial concerns, as a result of these costs, have been described as a source of distress for families of children with EDs. Given that Family-Based Therapy (FBT) is the recommended first-line treatment for EDs in children and young people, it important to be aware of any factors that may impact family functioning or access to treatment.
This project will explore the experiences of parents/carers to better understand what challenges are faced in terms of accessing support and adhering to the treatment plan. Semi-structured interviews will be carried out with the parents/carers of children open to a CAMHS ED service at the time of data collection. The aim of these interviews is to gain insight into the types of ED-related costs incurred by families, the wider impacts these impose upon the family, if any, and the extent to which the costs act as a barrier to treatment.
REC name
South West - Cornwall & Plymouth Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/SW/0094
Date of REC Opinion
29 Jul 2022
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion