Babb, C. orcid.org/0000-0001-5416-640X, Jones, C.R.G. orcid.org/0000-0003-0541-0431 and Fox, J.R.E. orcid.org/0000-0003-3039-8024 (2022) Investigating service users' perspectives of eating disorder services: a meta‐synthesis. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 29 (4). pp. 1276-1296. ISSN 1063-3995
Abstract
Objective Despite a number of qualitative studies published from the perspective of eating disorder (ED) service users, there has been no attempt to exclusively synthesize their views to gain a fuller understanding of their ED service experiences. It is important to understand this perspective, since previous research highlights the difficulties ED healthcare professionals report when working with this client group.
Method A systematic search of the literature was conducted to identify qualitative studies focusing on experiences of ED services from the perspective of service users. Twenty-two studies met the inclusion criteria and underwent a quality appraisal check using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) tool for qualitative research. These were then synthesized using a meta-synthesis approach.
Results Four overarching themes were generated: “Treatment: Focus on physical vs. psychological symptoms”; “Service Environment: The role of control within services”; “Staff: Experiences with staff and the value of rapport”; and “Peer Influence: Camaraderie vs. comparison.” Service users expressed a desire for more psychological input to tackle underlying difficulties relating to their ED. A complex relationship with feelings of control was described, with some feeling over-controlled by service providers, while others retrospectively recognized the need for control to be taken away. Staff values, knowledge and trust played a significant role in treatment and recovery. Peers with an ED were described to be a valuable source of understanding and empathy, but some found peer influence to perpetuate comparison and competitiveness.
Discussion The results portray some of the conflicts and complexities that service users encounter in ED services. A running thread throughout is the perceived importance of adopting an individualized approach within these services.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2022 The Authors. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License, which permits use and distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non-commercial and no modifications or adaptations are made: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ |
Keywords: | eating disorders; lived experience; mental health; mental health services; meta-synthesis; qualitative research; Attitude of Health Personnel; Feeding and Eating Disorders; Health Personnel; Humans; Qualitative Research; Retrospective Studies |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health (Sheffield) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 14 Aug 2024 10:41 |
Last Modified: | 14 Aug 2024 10:41 |
Published Version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cpp.2723 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Wiley |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1002/cpp.2723 |
Related URLs: | |
Sustainable Development Goals: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:216093 |
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