A qualitative analysis of disordered eating among survivors of military sexual trauma and combat trauma

Risk for disordered eating is high among survivors of military sexual trauma (MST) and combat trauma (CT). However, little research has qualitatively examined factors related to disordered eating among individuals with MST and CT exposure. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six survivors of MST and/or CT with disordered eating. Interviews inquired about four potential mediators of traumatic stress and disordered eating (i.e. trauma-related self-blame, emotion regulation challenges, body dissatisfaction, and dissociation), and inquired about possible other related factors. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed by means of thematic analysis. Thematic analyses provided contextual illustrations of how trauma-related self-blame, emotion regulation challenges, body dissatisfaction, and dissociation were perceived by MST and/or CT survivors to influence disordered eating. Participants additionally described how they perceived military culture to relate to disordered eating as well as provided suggestions for treatment development to address trauma-related disordered eating. Findings provide important information to consider in developing treatments for co-occurring traumatic stress and disordered eating tailored to the needs of MST and CT survivors.