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All better? How former anorexia nervosa patients define recovery and engaged in treatment
Author(s) -
Darcy Alison M.,
Katz Shaina,
Fitzpatrick Kathleen Kara,
Forsberg Sarah,
Utzinger Linsey,
Lock James
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
european eating disorders review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.511
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1099-0968
pISSN - 1072-4133
DOI - 10.1002/erv.1020
Subject(s) - eating disorders , anorexia nervosa , psychopathology , ambivalence , psychology , context (archaeology) , clinical psychology , psychotherapist , association (psychology) , psychiatry , developmental psychology , social psychology , paleontology , biology
The purpose of this study was to explore how individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN) engage in treatment and define recovery. A mixed methods design was used to triangulate the experience of 20 women with a history of AN. Interview data were analysed thematically to explore frequency of emergent themes and current eating disorder psychopathology was assessed using standardized self‐report measures. Participants' mean age was 29.35 ( SD = 12.11). Participants' scores were indicative of persistent psychopathology. Those with more involvement in treatment choice had better motivation to change and normalized eating. Participants' definition of recovery mapped on well to current research conceptualizations, though a substantial proportion of the group expressed some ambivalence around the concept. Results are interpreted in the context of self‐determination theory of motivation and suggest that patients should be involved collaboratively in the formulation of shared goals and concepts of recovery in treatment settings. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.