![]() Thus, it is important to investigate the role that technology is playing at the current time. Internet use has been linked to both negative and positive consequences for this population. Technology may play an important role at this pivotal time when physical socialisation is limited and virtual interaction comes into its own. For example, stress, health anxieties and contamination fears, perceived lack of control and problems with emotional regulation, reliance upon routine, structure, and social isolation. Psychological factors linked to ED symptoms will likely be exacerbated by the pandemic and associated lockdown. The pandemic may also lower protective capacity and access to care, by restricting access to social support, treatment, and adaptive coping strategies. ED symptoms may be exacerbated by media exposure, disruption to daily activities, social isolation, modified physical activity and sleep, and negative affect and fear of contagion. Individuals with, or in recovery from, eating disorders (EDs) are likely to be negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Positive aspects of technology use were identified but the results suggest a need to address and/or limit the potential for negative impacts of public messages around food and exercise behaviours, and to co-design technologies with end-users to facilitate effective treatment. Inequalities in healthcare provision were identified, emphasising a need for a more cohesive approach to remote treatment across UK healthcare services. There is a vital need for interventions to support this population. Individuals with eating disorders are at significant risk of negative impacts of the pandemic. The results suggest detrimental impacts on psychological wellbeing including decreased feelings of control, increased feelings of social isolation, increased rumination about disordered eating, and low feelings of social support. Eight key themes were generated: Disruption to living situation, increased social isolation and reduced access to usual support networks, changes to physical activity rates, reduced access to healthcare services, disruption to routine and perceived control, changes to relationship with food, increased exposure to triggering messages, and positive outcomes. Resultsįindings suggest that the pandemic is having a profound, negative impact upon individuals with experience of eating disorders. Participants were aged between 16 and 65 years, with 121 participants identifying as female, 7 male and 1 participant preferring not to disclose their gender. Data was collected from 129 individuals currently experiencing, or in recovery from, an eating disorder during the early stages of the UK pandemic lockdown. MethodĪ mixed-methods online survey was developed for the purpose of this study. To date, little is known on the impact of the pandemic on this population, particularly within the UK. Many factors have potential for detrimental impacts on psychological wellbeing and eating disorder recovery, including: Disruption to living situations, ‘social distancing’ restrictions, difficult access to healthcare, and societal changes to food behaviours and technology usage. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may raise unique challenges for individuals with experience of eating disorders.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |