ArticleJournal of eating disorders2025
Meanings of recovery and post-traumatic growth in people with lived experience of eating disorders: a qualitative study.
Article in Journal of eating disorders, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
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Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed.
- Women's eating disorder origins as responses to childhood trauma and negative social self: a qualitative study exploring lived experience perspectives.Journal of eating disorders · 2026Article
- Iatrogenic harm and premature treatment discontinuation in eating disorders: a lived experience response to Wade and Schmidt (2026).Journal of eating disorders · 2026Article
- A shift or a substitution? On naming, exclusion, and co-production in longstanding eating disorders: matters arising from Lubieniecki et al. (2025).Journal of eating disorders · 2025Article
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
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Abstract
backgroundConceptualizations of recovery from an Eating Disorder (ED) have focused traditionally on symptom alleviation and restoration of physical health. In recent years, through patient involvement, this definition has been broadened to incorporate changes in psychological processes and overall wellbeing. This study used a qualitative approach to explore the meanings of recovery among people with lived experience of an ED. Areas of personal growth after the illness were explored, with reference to the theoretical framework of Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG).
methodsNineteen participants (mean age 24.37; range: 18-50), who self-identified as recovered from an ED (mean time since recovery = 33.68 months, standard deviation = 31.67 months; range = 5-130 months), completed a demographic questionnaire and were asked to discuss their experiences of recovery and areas of PTG in a structured interview. Reflexive Thematic Analysis (TA) was used to identify common themes and sub themes.
resultsFour overarching themes and 14 sub themes were identified. Recovery was defined as a non-linear process marked by changes in eating behaviours (e.g., greater flexibility), and more effective abilities to manage painful thoughts and emotions. Elements of PTG were included in the experience of recovery, particularly through a reconstituted, authentic and meaningful sense of self following the ED.
conclusionsPeople with lived experience of an ED provided a broad definition of recovery, which encompassed symptom restoration, as well as significant changes in psychological processes and elements of PTG. These findings have the potential to inform the development or refinement of recovery-focused treatments.
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