REFLECT – Research Exploring Feelings of Loneliness in Young People in the Context of Eating Disorders: A Qualitative Study

We want to explore experiences of loneliness among young people with a past or current eating disorder.

Previous research has identified a link between eating disorders and feelings of loneliness, but we still know little about how these experiences are personally described and what they feel like in a person's day-to-day life. We are also interested in how experiences of loneliness and eating disorder behaviours might be connected, and in what ways these connections affect wellbeing and recovery.

By capturing diverse experiences, we hope to better understand the unique and personal nature of loneliness in the context of eating disorders. The findings will help us to inform more personalised interventions that could improve support and clinical outcomes for others in the future.


Am I eligible to take part?

You can take part in this study if you:

  • Are aged 16–25 and living in the UK.
  • Have current or past experience with an eating disorder (including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, avoidant-restrictive food intake disorder, or other specified feeding and eating disorders). (Formal diagnosis from a healthcare professional is not required.)
  • Have current or past experience with loneliness.
  • Are comfortable participating in a one-hour interview in English.

 

Unfortunately, you cannot take part in this study if you:

  • Are currently experiencing severe symptoms of a mental or physical illness that would make it difficult to provide informed consent or complete the interview.
  • Have a physical illness or developmental disability that would prevent participation in a one-hour verbal interview.
  • Are unwilling to participate in an online video interview with your camera on and the interview being recorded.
  • Are unable to receive payment via bank transfer.


What will happen if I take part?

If you decide to take part, the first step is filling out an online screening questionnaire, which takes about 20 minutes to complete. This will ask for some demographic information, your experiences with an eating disorder (if applicable), and your feelings of loneliness.

If you are eligible to take part, we will invite you to an online interview with a researcher. This will take place on Microsoft Teams with video enabled to make the conversation feel more natural. The interview will last for about one hour and will be scheduled at a time that works for you.


Please complete screening questionnaire to take part!


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