Monaghan Margaret, Doyle Louise
Children's Health Ireland, Temple Street Children's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
Int J Ment Health Nurs. 2023 Feb;32(1):128-138. doi: 10.1111/inm.13068. Epub 2022 Sep 9.
Anorexia nervosa presents as an international public health concern as it is the mental health problem with the greatest risk of mortality, and the average age of onset is decreasing. For those experiencing anorexia nervosa, mealtimes have long been recognized as a difficult and distressing time when young people need additional support. However, the post mealtime period can be associated with even greater distress, yet there is little research on interventions to support young people in this vulnerable time, and even less on how young people experience these interventions. This study, therefore, explores young peoples' perceptions of mealtimes and a post mealtime support group. Using a qualitative descriptive design, telephone interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of six young people who participated in a post-meal support group while an inpatient in a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Unit. Using a semi-structured interview guide, participants were asked about their experiences of this support group and their perceptions of how to improve this intervention. Content analysis resulted in the development of three themes: 'The Challenges of Mealtimes and Post Mealtimes', 'The Benefits of Post-meal Support Groups', and 'Improving Unhelpful Aspects of Post-meal Support Groups'. Findings are reported in accordance with COREQ guidelines and suggest that for young people experiencing anorexia nervosa, post mealtimes are often more distressing than the meal itself and that participants found post-meal support groups to be a helpful intervention in reducing post-mealtime distress. Post-meal support groups can be improved by ensuring a consistent approach from staff and providing staff with the training and knowledge required to support those affected by eating disorders.
神经性厌食症已成为一个国际公共卫生问题，因为它是死亡率风险最高的心理健康问题，且发病平均年龄正在下降。对于患有神经性厌食症的人来说，用餐时间长期以来一直被认为是一段艰难且痛苦的时期，此时年轻人需要额外的支持。然而，用餐后的时间段可能会带来更大的痛苦，但针对在这个脆弱时期支持年轻人的干预措施的研究却很少，关于年轻人如何体验这些干预措施的研究更少。因此，本研究探讨了年轻人对用餐时间和用餐后支持小组的看法。采用定性描述性设计，对六名年轻人进行了电话访谈，这些年轻人是在儿童和青少年心理健康病房住院期间参加用餐后支持小组的有目的样本。使用半结构化访谈指南，询问参与者关于他们在这个支持小组的经历以及他们对如何改进这种干预措施的看法。内容分析产生了三个主题：“用餐时间和用餐后的挑战”、“用餐后支持小组的益处”以及“改进用餐后支持小组的无益方面”。研究结果按照COREQ指南进行报告，表明对于患有神经性厌食症的年轻人来说，用餐后时期往往比用餐本身更痛苦，并且参与者发现用餐后支持小组是减少用餐后痛苦的一种有益干预措施。通过确保工作人员采取一致的方法，并为工作人员提供支持饮食失调患者所需的培训和知识，可以改进用餐后支持小组。
