Trauma exposure and disordered eating: A qualitative study.

ABSTRACT: Quantitative studies have demonstrated a positive association between trauma exposure and disordered eating. However, reasons for this relationship are unclear. We used qualitative methods to understand why some individuals exposed to trauma report disordered eating. We conducted five focus groups and two dyadic interviews between spring 2013 and fall 2014 with women at a Veterans Health Administration medical center (N = 20). Most participants were recruited from outpatient mental health clinics. Participants completed demographic and psychological questionnaires. Using thematic analysis of transcripts, we identified trauma and disordered eating-related themes. Most participants were women of color (55%), and many reported psychological symptoms (65%). The mean age was 48 years (SD = 15).

SUBMITTER: Breland JY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6192417 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature