Eating disorders and social support: perspectives of recovered individuals

Abstract

Eating disorder researchers have focused more on the etiology and treatment and less on what happens for individuals during the recovery process from an eating disorder. For this qualitative study, we examined how social supports were helpful and hurtful during the eating disorder recovery process and learned about varying experiences with social supports from the perspectives of 22 recovered women. Participants reported that eating disorder recovery is largely influenced by the individual's sense of connection to self and others. In addition, participants shared that the focus of care from providers influenced their recovery process in powerful ways. Clinical implications and future research ideas are presented for clinicians and researchers working in the area of eating disorders.