The Role of Self Esteem Upon the Recovery of Eating Disordered Patients

Eating disorders such as anorexia-nervosa, bulimia-nervosa, and binge-eating disorders are detrimental to overall health and well-being. The demands of beauty ideals and attitudes impact young adults negatively as they attempt to meet societal beauty standards. The need for approval, fitting in with the community, and confidence drive the behaviors of people in negative ways. In recent years, the modernization of social media has contributed to dieting cultures, the thin ideal, harmful weight-loss practices, and the cycle to use the body as a means to control or repent. External factors affect the risk of eating disorders which contribute to the challenge of recovery from eating disorders. The definition of recovery is individualized, and it is important to understand the complexity of the experiences of an individual. Eating disordered patients and their ability to seek help is mediated by both internal and external factors that affect their portrayal of themselves and others. This perception is mediated by self-esteem levels that have been influenced by relationships, social media, and the definition of recovery. Self-esteem is a predictor of the length of time and quality of recovery in patients. This study aims to conduct surveys and interviews to determine self-esteem levels, disordered eating attitudes, and their effects upon each other during recovery from eating disorders. Additionally, awareness of food stigmatization, the impact of social, family, and relationship factors, and supports and barriers to recovery will be explored. The research question of “What is the role of self-esteem in the recovery from eating disorders and how is self-esteem recovered in these stages?” plays an important role in determining what factors support eating disorder recovery, the recovery journey, and influence disordered eating.