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COVID-19 and binge eating: Patient perceptions of eating disorder symptoms, tele-therapy, and treatment implications
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

COVID-19 and binge eating: Patient perceptions of eating disorder symptoms, tele-therapy, and treatment implications

Mallory Frayn, Caroline Fojtu and Adrienne Juarascio
Current psychology (New Brunswick, N.J.), v 40(12), pp 6249-6258
01 Dec 2021
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-021-01494-0
PMID: 33623352
Featured in Collection :   UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
url
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-021-01494-0View
Published, Version of Record (VoR)Maybe Open Access (Publisher Bronze),  Open

Abstract

Psychology Psychology, Multidisciplinary Social Sciences
COVID-19 has been shown to detrimentally affect eating disorder symptoms, including increased dietary restriction and increased binge eating. However, research in this area is thus far limited. Additionally, as a result of the pandemic, many eating disorder treatments have converted to tele-health platforms, however, little is known about patient perceptions of this modality. The aim of the present, exploratory study was to qualitatively examine: (1) The impact of COVID-19 on binge eating spectrum disorder symptoms (2) Patient perceptions of tele-therapy, and (3) Ways to address COVID-19 in eating disorder treatment. Data were collected through one-on-one, semi-structured interviews (N = 11), conducted as part of a mid-program assessment for those undergoing individual, outpatient therapy for binge eating spectrum disorders. After thematic analysis, it was identified that patients reported both symptom deterioration and improvement during COVID-19. Factors surrounding social distancing and stay-at-home measures were found to both improve and worsen symptoms for different patients. Further, patients reported positive perceptions of tele-therapy, particularly appreciating the convenience of this modality. Finally, patients provided variable feedback on the incorporation of COVID-related concerns into their eating disorder treatment, with some participants wishing for this inclusion, and others viewing COVID-19 and their eating disorder as separate issues. Findings from the present study preliminarily identify ways in which binge eating spectrum disorder symptoms may have improved due to COVID-19 and indicate positive patient perceptions of tele-therapy. Our results may be used to inform the adaptation of future eating disorder treatment during COVID-19.

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37 citations in Web of Science
40 citations in Scopus

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UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#3 Good Health and Well-Being
#5 Gender Equality

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Web of Science research areas
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
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