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Updated: Jun 12, 2026
04:19
A Computer-Based Platform for Aiding Clinicians in Eating Disorder Analysis and Diagnosis
Published on: May 10, 2022
Social identity in eating disorders.
1Worcestershire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, England, UK. julie.ison@worcsmhp.nhs.uk
Summary
Social identity shifts during eating disorders, with the disorder sometimes forming a new group identity. Recovery may involve changes in social connections and self-perception.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Eating disorders significantly impact an individual's sense of self and social connections.
- Understanding the role of social identity is crucial for effective eating disorder treatment and recovery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the nature of social identity in individuals diagnosed with eating disorders.
- To investigate how social identity influences the experience and recovery process of eating disorders.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study employing semi-structured interviews with eight females diagnosed with an eating disorder.
- Data analysis utilized Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA).
Main Results:
- Three core themes emerged: shifts in social identity, perceptions of outgroups, and the eating disorder functioning as an ingroup.
- Findings indicate that social identity can transform throughout the course of an eating disorder.
- A potential interplay between social identity and eating disorder recovery was identified.
Conclusions:
- Social identity is dynamic in eating disorders, influencing both the disorder's progression and recovery.
- Clinical interventions should consider the role of social identity and group dynamics in treatment.
- Future research should further explore the proposed interaction between social identity and recovery.
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