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. 2023 Dec;62(6):4451-4477.
doi: 10.1007/s10943-023-01861-0. Epub 2023 Jul 9.

The Role of Religion, Spirituality and Social Media in the Journey of Eating Disorders: A Qualitative Exploration of Participants in the "TastelifeUK" Eating Disorder Recovery Programme

Barbara Mitra  1 , Diana Archer  2 , Joanne Hurst  3 , Deborah Lycett  4
Affiliations

The Role of Religion, Spirituality and Social Media in the Journey of Eating Disorders: A Qualitative Exploration of Participants in the "TastelifeUK" Eating Disorder Recovery Programme

Barbara Mitra et al. J Relig Health. 2023 Dec.

Abstract

This study explores the religious and spiritual aspects of eating disorder recovery and the role of social media in the context of a third sector community-based recovery group in the UK. Four online focus groups explored participant perspectives (17 participants in total) using thematic analysis. The qualitative findings highlight that relational support from God is important in eating disorder recovery and coping, although this can be challenged by spiritual struggles and tensions. Relational support from people is also relevant where it offers a place to share different experiences together giving a sense of community belonging. Social media was also found to be important in relation to eating disorders, either providing a community of support or exacerbating existing issues. This study suggests that the role of religion and social media should be acknowledged where it is important for that individual in relation to eating disorder recovery.

Keywords: Anorexia nervosa; Body image; Bulimia nervosa; Eating disorders; Faith; Media; Qualitative study; Religion; Social media; Spiritual struggles.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no financial and no non-financial competing interests in relation to this work. All four authors have no financial interests in relation to this work. Author Diana Archer is a director of the tastelifeUK charity but was completely independent of the participant recruitment and data gathering process.

Figures

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Fig. 1
Coding and themes mind map
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