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Thesis
Exploring Why Men With Binge-Spectrum Eating Disorders Do Not Seek Therapy (and How to Get Them There)
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
Sep 2024
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00010501
Abstract
Most men with binge-spectrum eating disorders (BSEDs) never receive psychological treatment for their conditions, often because they do not seek it. Furthermore, research on BSEDs typically includes disproportionately low numbers of men. Understanding men's perceptions of masculinity, EDs, and therapy could inform efforts by researchers and clinicians to engage this overlooked and underserved group. In the present study, 15 men (53% White, 80% heterosexual, age range 26-69) who had never gone to therapy for their BSEDs provided semi-structured qualitative responses to questions about masculinity, EDs, and therapy. These men also offered input about potential strategies to engage men like them in psychological treatment for BSEDs. Reflexive thematic analysis identified eight key themes (with four pertaining to men's perceptions of key constructs and four regarding a public-health initiative to increase men's awareness of BSEDs and interest in seeking therapy). (1) Men did not recognize their EDs. (2) Men stated that serious eating problems cause physical, not just mental, health consequences. (3) Even though many of these men had been in therapy, and even though they called their eating problems serious, they had often not considered therapy for their BSEDs. (4) The men were very supportive of other men going to therapy for their EDs, even though they had not gone themselves. (5) Serious messages convey the seriousness of BSEDs. (6) The ideal message would be simple and relatable and persuade men that seeking therapy makes them more manly, not less. (7) Men's intersectional identities shape their reasons for not pursuing therapy. (8) Men expressed spontaneous excitement about a messaging campaign to raise awareness of disordered eating in men. These findings indicate that societal expectations and a lack of information (about both BSEDs and therapy's role in treating them) prevent many men from seeking treatment. A multifaceted public-health campaign could address that knowledge gap by using some of the above principles. Ideally, the recruitment and promotional strategies suggested here could be examined empirically so that BSED research can enroll more men, clinicians can attract men with BSEDs to their services, and men with BSEDs can receive much-needed care for their mental health.
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Details
- Title
- Exploring Why Men With Binge-Spectrum Eating Disorders Do Not Seek Therapy (and How to Get Them There)
- Creators
- Ross Matthew Sonnenblick
- Contributors
- Stephanie M. Manasse (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- 49 pages
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology); College of Arts and Sciences; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991021899513604721