Experiences of Parents of Children Diagnosed with Eating Disorders

Background: Eating disorders are diagnoses found throughout the world regardless of race, gender, and age. Recovery for these diagnoses are typically demanding and on-going, leading parents and caregivers of those diagnosed to face substantial stress throughout the process. While many treatments use caregivers as agents of change, these are established with the client in mind and do little to aid the families through their own stress and decline in well-being. Method: This qualitative phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of 10 caregivers during their children's recovery through in-depth interviews regarding that time of their lives. Participants were recruited via Facebook support groups and were included if they had cared for a child diagnosed with an eating disorder. Results: Themes emerged from these interviews that highlighted the unique ways the recovery process influenced daily routines, roles, and occupational engagement. Conclusion: Findings of the study can contribute to the development of interventions that address the needs of both individuals with eating disorders and their families through the use of holistic health care professionals, such as occupational therapists.