NDLI: Uncontrollable behavior or mental illness? Exploring constructions of bulimia using Q methodology

Content Provider	Springer Nature : BioMed Central
Author	Churruca, Kate Perz, Janette Ussher, Jane M
Abstract	Background In medical and psychological literature bulimia is commonly described as a mental illness. However, from a social constructionist perspective the meaning of bulimia will always be socially and historically situated and multiple. Thus, there is always the possibility for other understandings or constructions of bulimia to circulate in our culture, with each having distinct real-world implications for those engaging in bulimic behaviors; for instance, they might potentially influence likelihood of help-seeking and the success of treatment. This study used Q methodology to explore culturally-available constructions of bulimia nervosa. Methods Seventy-seven adults with varying experience of eating disorders took part in this Q methodological study. Online, they were asked to rank-order 42 statements about bulimia, and then answer a series of questions about the task and their knowledge of bulimia. A by-person factor analysis was then conducted, with factors extracted using the centroid technique and a varimax rotation. Results Six factors satisfied selection criteria and were subsequently interpreted. Factor A, “bulimia as uncontrolled behavior”, positions bulimia as a behavioral rather than psychological issue. Factor B, entitled “bulimia is a distressing mental illness”, reflects an understanding of bulimic behaviors as a dysfunctional coping mechanism, which is often found in psychological literature. Other perspectives position bulimia as about “self-medicating with food” (Factor C), “the pathological pursuit of thinness” (Factor D), “being the best at being thin” (Factor E), or as “extreme behavior vs. mentally ill” (Factor F). These constructions have distinct implications for the subjective experience and behavior of those engaged in bulimic behaviors, with some constructions possibly being more useful in terms of help-seeking (Factor B), while others position these individuals in ways that may be distressing, for instance as shallow (Factor D) or to blame (Factor E). Conclusions This study has identified a range of distinct constructions of bulimia. These constructions are considered to have implications for the behaviors and experiences of those engaging in bulimic behaviors. As such, further research into constructions of bulimia may illuminate factors that influence help-seeking and the self-perceptions of such individuals.
Related Links	https://jeatdisord.biomedcentral.com/counter/pdf/10.1186/s40337-014-0022-2.pdf
Ending Page	14
Page Count	14
Starting Page	1
File Format	HTM / HTML
ISSN	20502974
DOI	10.1186/s40337-014-0022-2
Journal	Journal of Eating Disorders
Issue Number	1
Volume Number	2
Language	English
Publisher	BioMed Central
Publisher Date	2014-07-29
Access Restriction	Open
Subject Keyword	Psychology Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Psychiatry Clinical Psychology Bulimia Social constructionism Q methodology Help-seeking
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Nutrition and Dietetics Behavioral Neuroscience Psychiatry and Mental Health
Journal Impact Factor	3.5/2023
5-Year Journal Impact Factor	4/2023

Sl.	Authority	Responsibilities	Communication Details
1	Ministry of Education (GoI), Department of Higher Education	Sanctioning Authority	https://www.education.gov.in/ict-initiatives
2	Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur	Host Institute of the Project: The host institute of the project is responsible for providing infrastructure support and hosting the project	https://www.iitkgp.ac.in
3	National Digital Library of India Office, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur	The administrative and infrastructural headquarters of the project	Dr. B. Sutradhar bsutra@ndl.gov.in
4	Project PI / Joint PI	Principal Investigator and Joint Principal Investigators of the project	Dr. B. Sutradhar bsutra@ndl.gov.in Prof. Saswat Chakrabarti will be added soon
5	Website/Portal (Helpdesk)	Queries regarding NDLI and its services	support@ndl.gov.in
6	Contents and Copyright Issues	Queries related to content curation and copyright issues	content@ndl.gov.in
7	National Digital Library of India Club (NDLI Club)	Queries related to NDLI Club formation, support, user awareness program, seminar/symposium, collaboration, social media, promotion, and outreach	clubsupport@ndl.gov.in
8	Digital Preservation Centre (DPC)	Assistance with digitizing and archiving copyright-free printed books	dpc@ndl.gov.in
9	IDR Setup or Support	Queries related to establishment and support of Institutional Digital Repository (IDR) and IDR workshops	idr@ndl.gov.in

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