Exploring the educative potential of eating disorder memoirs

Margaret McAllister; D L Brien; J Alexander; Trudi Flynn

doi:10.1108/JMHTEP-07-2013-0026

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Exploring the educative potential of eating disorder memoirs

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Exploring the educative potential of eating disorder memoirs

Margaret McAllister, D L Brien, J Alexander and Trudi Flynn

The Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice, Vol.9(2), pp.69-78

2014

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JMHTEP-07-2013-0026

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Abstract

bibliotherapy

biography

eating disorders

education

memoir

narrative

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore the potential benefits that books, and specifically memoirs, may offer mental health students, positing that first person testimonials may make the complex experiences of a mental health challenge, in this case eating disorders (ED), accessible to learners. Design/methodology/approach: The paper presents a pedagogical approach, based on transformative learning (TL), to assist in encouraging the development of a Recovery Approach in students. TL is a pedagogy that is interested in problematic practices that keep afflicting an area such as mental health, such as the imbalanced focus on learning illness rather than wellbeing, and in pondering and revising the educational solutions. Findings: The paper proposes that forward movement in this area will be based on considering and developing such innovative curricula, and researching its impact. Originality/value: By virtue of their accessibility, memoirs could offer to a large audience the benefits of universality, empathy, hope and guidance. Teachers and learners could be making use of these books in face-to-face or online activities. This paper explores the groundwork that is needed before ED memoirs can be confidently recommended as an empowering tool. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.

Details

Title: Exploring the educative potential of eating disorder memoirs
Authors: Margaret McAllister (Author) - Central Queensland University
D L Brien (Author) - Central Queensland University
J Alexander (Author)
Trudi Flynn (Author) - Central Queensland University
Publication details: The Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice, Vol.9(2), pp.69-78
Publisher: Pier Professional Ltd.
Date published: 2014
DOI: 10.1108/JMHTEP-07-2013-0026
ISSN: 1755-6228
Organisation Unit: School of Social Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Law and Society
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99450411402621
Output Type: Journal article

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