The experience of specialist inpatient treatment for anorexia nervosa: A qualitative study from adult patients' perspectives.

Smith, VVivien; Chouliara, Zoë; Morris, Paul G; Collin, Paula; Power, Kevin; Yellowlees, Alex; Grierson, David; Papageorgiou, Elena; Cook, Moira

Abstract

This qualitative study aimed to explore experiences of women currently undergoing specialist inpatient treatment for anorexia nervosa. Interviews were carried out with 21 women with a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa from a specialist adult inpatient eating disorder unit. Five master themes emerged using thematic analysis: (1) shifts in control, (2) experience of transition, (3) importance of supportive staff relationships, (4) sharing with peers and (5) process of recovery and self-discovery. Findings suggest that patients experience a process of change and adjustment in relation to levels of perceived personal control, attachment to the treatment environment and a sense of self-identity.

Citation

Smith, V., Chouliara, Z., Morris, P. G., Collin, P., Power, K., Yellowlees, A., Grierson, D., Papageorgiou, E., & Cook, M. (2016). The experience of specialist inpatient treatment for anorexia nervosa: A qualitative study from adult patients' perspectives. Journal of Health Psychology, 21(1), 16-27. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105313520336

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Online Publication Date: Feb 6, 2014
• Publication Date: 2016-01
• Deposit Date: May 26, 2015
• Print ISSN: 1359-1053
• Electronic ISSN: 1461-7277
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 21
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 16-27
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105313520336
• Keywords: anorexia nervosa; experience; qualitative methods; thematic analysis; treatment
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/id/eprint/8324
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1359105313520336