Purpose

The aim of the study is to explore the experience of eating disorder support group participants. The research question is “What is the experience of adults recovering from an eating disorder in a professionally-led monthly support group?”

Design/methodology/approach

This qualitative study explored the experience of adults recovering from an eating disorder in a professionally-led monthly support group. Participants were 18 adults recovering from an eating disorder who attended a monthly support group. The data were collected using an online anonymous survey and then analysed using a thematic analysis.

Findings

The main themes that emerged were: (1) sharing the pain and promise, (2) cautions and concerns and (3) facilitators have influence. The findings indicate that the support group provided a safe space to share their lived experience, that it reduced stigma and isolation, and improved participants' motivation and engagement. Moreover, the results revealed some challenges to the functioning of the group. These included management of discussions and dominant members, need for psycho-educational information and managing intense feelings, relating to body-related comparison and other mental disorder comorbidities.

Originality/value

This is the first study highlighting the valuable role of the facilitator in balancing content with compassion, in ensuring safety in the group, and potentially fulfilling a valuable education function in supporting participants in their eating disorder recovery journey.

中文翻译：

---

在专业领导的支持小组中成年人从饮食失调中恢复过来的经验

目的

该研究的目的是探索饮食失调支持小组参与者的经验。研究问题是“在专业领导的每月支持小组中，成年人从饮食失调中恢复过来的经历是什么？”

设计/方法/方法

这项定性研究探讨了由专业领导的每月支持小组从饮食失调中恢复的成年人的经历。参加者为18名从饮食失调中恢复过来的成年人，他们参加了每月的支持小组。使用在线匿名调查收集数据，然后使用主题分析进行分析。

发现

出现的主要主题是：（1）共享痛苦和希望，（2）谨慎和关心，（3）促进者具有影响力。调查结果表明，该支持小组提供了一个安全的空间来分享他们的生活经验，减少了污名和孤立感，并提高了参与者的积极性和参与度。此外，结果表明该小组的运作面临一些挑战。其中包括讨论和主要成员的管理，对心理教育信息的需求以及对与身体相关的比较和其他精神障碍合并症相关的强烈情感的管理。

创意/价值

这是第一项研究，着重强调了促进者在平衡满足感和同情心，确保小组成员的安全以及潜在地履行宝贵的教育职能以支持参与者饮食失调过程中的宝贵作用。