Lived experience-informed eating disorders research: an illustrative example.

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry and Mental Health Research
• Eating Disorders Research
• Collaborative Research Methodologies

Background:

• The mental health field, particularly eating disorders research, is increasingly adopting collaborative models.
• Partnerships involve individuals with lived and living experiences (patients, families, carers).
• Challenges persist in ensuring authentic engagement, avoiding tokenism, and managing power dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To encourage authentic and equitable partnerships in eating disorder research.
• To guide researchers in effectively collaborating with lived experience contributors.
• To provide clarity on various forms of lived experience involvement in research.

Main Methods:

• Descriptive analysis of lived experience involvement in research.
• Utilizing real-life examples from a newly established study.
• Focus on practical strategies for authentic collaboration.

Main Results:

• Identified different types of lived experience involvement in research.
• Provided practical examples to illustrate collaborative approaches.
• Highlighted strategies for overcoming challenges in engagement.

Conclusions:

• Authentic, equitable partnerships are crucial for impactful eating disorder research.
• Effective collaboration requires addressing power imbalances and ensuring meaningful involvement.
• The paper offers a framework for researchers to foster genuine lived experience partnerships.