Journal article
What prevents young adults from seeking help? Barriers toward help-seeking for eating disorder symptomatology
International Journal of Eating Disorders, Vol.53(6), pp.894-906
2020
PMID: 32239776
Abstract
Objectives:
The aim of this study was to investigate help-seeking attitudes, intentions, and behaviors, and to systematically explore perceived barriers to help-seeking for eating, weight, or shape concerns among young adults. Differences in perceived barriers as a function of type of eating disorder symptomatology were also examined.
Method:
Data were collected using an online survey among individuals (aged 18-25 years) in Australia. Overall, 291 young adults with varying levels of eating disorder symptoms completed measures of disordered eating, weight or shape concerns, help-seeking barriers, attitudes, intentions, and behaviors. According to their self-reported symptoms, participants were classified into four subgroups (i.e., anorexia nervosa [AN] symptoms, bulimia nervosa [BN] symptoms, binge-eating disorder [BED] symptoms, and other eating disorder symptoms).
Results:
Despite the belief that help-seeking is useful, only a minority of participants with elevated symptoms, namely those with AN, BN, and BED symptoms, believed they needed help. Across the sample, the most frequently cited barriers to seeking help for eating disorder symptoms were: concern for others, self-sufficiency, fear of losing control, denial and failure to perceive the severity of the illness, and stigma and shame.
Discussion:
The findings highlight the need to educate young adults about the severity of eating disorders and the importance of seeking help, and to increase the awareness of help-seeking barriers among those designing public health interventions as well as clinicians. Our findings suggest that help-seeking barriers may differ depending on the type of eating disorder symptomology.
Details
- Title
- What prevents young adults from seeking help? Barriers toward help-seeking for eating disorder symptomatology
- Authors
- Kathina Ali (Corresponding Author) - Australian National UniversityDaniel B Fassnacht (Author) - Flinders UniversityLouise Farrer (Author) - Australian National UniversityElizabeth Rieger (Author) - Australian National UniversityJohannes Feldhege (Author) - University Hospital HeidelbergMarkus Moessner (Author) - University Hospital HeidelbergKathleen M Griffiths (Author) - Australian National UniversityStephanie Bauer (Author) - University Hospital Heidelberg
- Publication details
- International Journal of Eating Disorders, Vol.53(6), pp.894-906
- Publisher
- John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
- DOI
- 10.1002/eat.23266
- ISSN
- 1098-108X
- PMID
- 32239776
- Organisation Unit
- School of Health - Psychology
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99726819602621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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12 Record Views
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Nutrition & Dietetics
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Psychology, Clinical
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Source: InCites