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Disclosure patterns of eating and weight concerns to clinicians, educational professionals, family, and peers
Author(s) -
Becker Anne E.,
Thomas Jennifer J.,
Franko Debra L.,
Herzog David B.
Publication year - 2005
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.20141
Subject(s) - health professionals , disordered eating , eating disorders , psychology , clinical psychology , self disclosure , health care , sample (material) , psychiatry , social psychology , chemistry , chromatography , economics , economic growth
Objective The current study investigated disclosure of eating and weight concerns to professionals, peers, and family. Method Responses to a telephone questionnaire probing disclosure patterns were analyzed in a sample of 216 adult subjects with eating or weight symptoms, concerns, or problems. Results Nearly all of the sample (97.7%) had disclosed information about eating or weight symptoms or concerns to someone. Only 57% of the sample had disclosed this information to a health care professional. However, among subjects who had not otherwise volunteered information about their concerns, those who were queried were more likely than not to disclose them to health care professionals, counselors, and coaches. Disclosure to a health care professional or school counselor was associated with a higher likelihood of subsequent treatment seeking. Discussion These data suggest that individuals with disordered eating may be quite amenable to disclosing symptoms in clinical settings. Asking about an eating disorder may enhance detection and facilitate treatment in clinical settings. © 2005 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.