An Investigation of the Experience of Treatment Receiving Muslims with an Eating Disorder: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

Abstract

Background: In a post 9/11 context, there has been a growing inequality in health outcomes for minority Muslim populations in the United Kingdom (UK). The aim of the study is to better understand the experience of eating disorder (ED) treatment received by Muslims and consider what changes could be made to inform current treatment practices. Methodology: A cross-sectional, qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was conducted. The study was interested in the personal accounts of Muslims who had experienced treatment for an ED, and for this reason an interpretative phenomenological approach (IPA) was chosen. Recruitment of participants took place in two adult community ED services in Luton and East London. Purposive sampling was used. Findings: The final sample consisted of five, female participants with a pre-existing diagnosis of anorexia nervosa, with one participant having a comorbid diagnosis of anorexia nervosa and bulimia. Five group experiential themes (GETs) were developed, drawn from the double hermeneutic cycle of IPA. Key themes illustrated the influence of migration on perceptions of EDs, stigma of EDs within minority cultural, social and religious identities and experiences of marginalisation from mental health services. Changes for ED services to consider were within the realm of upskilling staff teams within cultural and religiously informed practice and offering Muslims peer support groups. Implications: The participants in this study communicated the complexities of Muslim identity when in a Western healthcare service context where often the topic of religion was neglected. Further research is necessary to better meet the needs of this population.