dc.contributor.author	Haugen, Emily Catherine	en
dc.contributor.committeechair	Dolbin-MacNab, Megan L.	en
dc.contributor.committeemember	Piercy, Fred P.	en
dc.contributor.committeemember	Blodgett Salafia, Elizabeth H.	en
dc.contributor.committeemember	Grafsky, Erika L.	en
dc.contributor.department	Human Development	en
dc.date.accessioned	2018-11-29T07:01:11Z	en
dc.date.available	2018-11-29T07:01:11Z	en
dc.date.issued	2017-06-06	en
dc.description.abstract	Although subclinical eating disorders are more common than clinical eating disorders, they have received significantly less empirical attention. Subclinical symptoms of eating disorders often surface during adolescence and young adulthood and are far more common among females than males. Despite knowledge that the larger sociocultural context may contribute to the development of eating disorders, few studies have examined feminist-informed factors that may serve as protective mechanisms for young women who are influenced by Western capitalist culture and exhibit some symptomology, but do not develop clinically disordered eating. Using the feminist-relational model (feminist-relational Model (Jordan, 1997; Maine and Bunnell, 2008; Surrey, 1991) as a guide, this study sought to fill this gap. Informed by feminist grounded theory methodology, this study qualitatively examined socio-relational and socio-political contexts as potential protective factors for young women ages 18-25 whose subclinical eating disorder symptoms had not yet developed into a clinical eating disorder. Using constructivist grounded theory methodology, an emerging model was developed which demonstrates how participants spoke of their eating disorder symptoms in an externalized way. This was termed the "eating disorder voice." Findings highlight how feminist-informed protective factors helped participants resolve the tension between their genuine voice and eating disorder voice, and act in accordance with their preferred values. Participants were then more likely to be open about their symptoms and invest in their relationships. The main protective factors that emerged included, support people who provide emotional and tangible support, support people who challenge the eating disorder, a personal sense of agency, and community activism and involvement. The present study adds to the feminist theory and the feminist-relational model by providing a conceptualization of the symbiotic relationship between feminist-informed protective factors, suggesting through supportive relationships, individuals experience increased empowerment and agency. Clinical findings indicate that protecting symptoms, misperceptions regarding subclinical symptoms, and stigma served as barriers to seeking treatment. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.	en
dc.description.abstractgeneral	Eating disorder are a diagnosable mental health condition that greatly impacts physical and emotional functioning. While 20 million people live with clinical eating disorders, many more individuals suffer from subclinical eating disorders. Subclinical eating disorders are similar to eating disorders, but behavioral symptoms such as limiting food intake and vomiting to control weight, shape and size occur with less frequency. Subclinical eating disorders are less studied, and as a result, less understood. Additionally, most research focuses on risk factors for clinical and subclinical eating disorders. Therefore, the present study examined the experiences of living with subclinical eating disorder from a protective standpoint. Feminist theory was used to examine how factors such as voice, empowerment and gender may serve as factors that help stop subclinical symptoms from developing into full blown clinical disorders. Fifteen women between the ages of 18 to 25 who were living with subclinical eating disorder symptoms were interviewed. Through the interviews, women spoke of their symptoms as if they were a separate person or voice, which was labeled the “eating disorder voice” in the analysis process. Findings show how risk factors influenced participants to follow their eating disorder voice (ie., isolate, restrict food) while feminist-informed factors helped participants act in ways that were consistent with what was important to them (ie., spending time with others, not using eating disorder symptoms). The main protective factors included, support people who provide emotional and tangible support, support people who challenge the eating disorder, a personal sense of agency, and community involvement. These findings were applied to help clinicians who work with women at risk for eating disorders.	en
dc.description.degree	Ph. D.	en
dc.format.medium	ETD	en
dc.identifier.other	vt_gsexam:10555	en
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10919/86175	en
dc.publisher	Virginia Tech	en
dc.rights	In Copyright	en
dc.rights.uri	http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/	en
dc.subject	eating disorders	en
dc.subject	subclinical	en
dc.subject	protective factors	en
dc.subject	feminist theory	en
dc.subject	grounded theory	en
dc.title	The Social, Relational and Political Context of Eating Disorders: A Feminist-Informed Grounded Theory Analysis	en
dc.type	Dissertation	en
thesis.degree.discipline	Human Development	en
thesis.degree.grantor	Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University	en
thesis.degree.level	doctoral	en
thesis.degree.name	Ph. D.	en

The Social, Relational and Political Context of Eating Disorders: A Feminist-Informed Grounded Theory Analysis

Files

Original bundle

Collections