Premium
A qualitative study of the experience of caring for a person with bulimia nervosa. Part 2: Carers' needs and experiences of services and other support
Author(s) -
Winn Suzanne,
Perkins Sarah,
Murray Joanna,
Murphy Rebecca,
Schmidt Ulrike
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
international journal of eating disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.785
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1098-108X
pISSN - 0276-3478
DOI - 10.1002/eat.20068
Subject(s) - bulimia nervosa , anorexia nervosa , eating disorders , psychology , mental health , qualitative research , focus group , psychiatry , social science , marketing , sociology , business
Objective Family carers of people with mental disorders have specific needs to safeguard their own mental health. The needs of carers of individuals with eating disorders have received little attention. A focus group with carers of people with anorexia nervosa identified a number of specific needs (Haigh & Treasure [2003]. European Eating Disorders Review, 11(2), 125–141). However, there has been no published research into the needs of carers of individuals with bulimia nervosa (BN). Method Twenty carers of individuals with BN were interviewed using a semistructured interview schedule. Interviews were transcribed and the texts were analyzed using a content analysis approach to identify themes. Results Carers expressed the need for more information, practical advice, guidance, and the need to talk to others about their experiences. Discussion Further research is recommended to explore how the needs expressed by carers may best be translated into services that effectively meet the requirements of both patients and carers and reduce the risk to carers' mental health. © 2004 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 36: 269–279, 2004.