“I felt so powerful to have this love in me”: A grounded theory analysis of the experiences of people living with and recovering from eating disorders while in diverse romantic relationships

• DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2024.101709
• Publication Date: 2024-04-13T17:50:33Z
• Authors: Jaclyn A. Siegel; Rebecca R. Mendoza; Juliana M. Tesselaar; Jennifer DeJesus; Connor I. Elbe; Nicolas S. Caravelli; Lynae Troy; Margo Fenton; Brianna Victoria; Justice Herrera; Aaron J. Blashill
• Keywords: Romance; Stressor

Romantic partners have the potential to influence attitudes and behaviors related body image disordered eating. However, role that romantic relationships can play in eating disorder (ED) recovery has not been comprehensively investigated. The present study aimed explore ways people living with recovering from EDs experience their relationships, specific objective of developing a novel theoretical framework, grounded experiences diverse guide future research on topic. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted 66 (45 cisgender women, 11 men, 9 nonbinary people, 1 transgender man) while relationships. Our theory analysis yielded model ED management revealing Individual Relationship Characteristics intersected Relationship-Related Stressors navigated using Eating Disorder Management Strategies. Combined Partner Support Tensions, these strategies Mental Health Outcomes, which affected by Future Concerns. researchers should continue build on, expand, modify this further EDs.