Siân A McLean1,2,3, Belinda Caldwell3, Michelle Roberton3. 1. Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. 2. School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. 3. Victorian Centre of Excellence in Eating Disorders, Melbourne Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore characteristics and treatment-seeking intentions of consumers accessing an online resource for eating disorders support, Reach Out and Recover (ROAR). Factors associated with treatment-seeking intent among visitors to ROAR were also examined. METHOD: Participants were 200 visitors to the website aged 18 to 60 plus. The majority of participants (93.5%) identified as women. Responses to self-report questions assessing treatment-seeking intention, eating disorder symptoms and their impact on health, and attitudes to treatment were collected. RESULTS: Participants experienced a range of eating disorder symptoms, yet the majority (86.0%) was not receiving treatment. Importantly, of those not in treatment, the majority (82.6%) indicated that they planned to get treatment. In addition, more than half of participants (52.9%) downloaded a report to present to their health practitioner to facilitate communication with a health professional. Intention to seek treatment and download of the report were positively associated with motivation to change, confidence to achieve change, greater frequency of binge eating, and greater recognition of the impact of eating disorder symptoms on relationships and well-being but not with stigma or ambivalence. DISCUSSION: Study findings indicated that the ROAR website was accessed by individuals for whom it was designed, namely those experiencing eating disorder symptoms who are not receiving treatment. Encouragingly, participants had strong intentions to seek treatment, and the majority downloaded a report that could be used to facilitate the first step toward treatment. Greater focus on enhancing motivation and confidence to change may further promote treatment-seeking.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore characteristics and treatment-seeking intentions of consumers accessing an online resource for eating disorders support, Reach Out and Recover (ROAR). Factors associated with treatment-seeking intent among visitors to ROAR were also examined. METHOD:Participants were 200 visitors to the website aged 18 to 60 plus. The majority of participants (93.5%) identified as women. Responses to self-report questions assessing treatment-seeking intention, eating disorder symptoms and their impact on health, and attitudes to treatment were collected. RESULTS:Participants experienced a range of eating disorder symptoms, yet the majority (86.0%) was not receiving treatment. Importantly, of those not in treatment, the majority (82.6%) indicated that they planned to get treatment. In addition, more than half of participants (52.9%) downloaded a report to present to their health practitioner to facilitate communication with a health professional. Intention to seek treatment and download of the report were positively associated with motivation to change, confidence to achieve change, greater frequency of binge eating, and greater recognition of the impact of eating disorder symptoms on relationships and well-being but not with stigma or ambivalence. DISCUSSION: Study findings indicated that the ROAR website was accessed by individuals for whom it was designed, namely those experiencing eating disorder symptoms who are not receiving treatment. Encouragingly, participants had strong intentions to seek treatment, and the majority downloaded a report that could be used to facilitate the first step toward treatment. Greater focus on enhancing motivation and confidence to change may further promote treatment-seeking.
Authors: Fernando Fernández-Aranda; Miquel Casas; Laurence Claes; Danielle Clark Bryan; Angela Favaro; Roser Granero; Carlota Gudiol; Susana Jiménez-Murcia; Andreas Karwautz; Daniel Le Grange; Jose M Menchón; Kate Tchanturia; Janet Treasure Journal: Eur Eat Disord Rev Date: 2020-05
Authors: Iranzu Viguria; Miguel Angel Alvarez-Mon; Maria Llavero-Valero; Angel Asunsolo Del Barco; Felipe Ortuño; Melchor Alvarez-Mon Journal: J Med Internet Res Date: 2020-07-14 Impact factor: 5.428