Identifying the factors influencing the occupational identity of people journeying from adolescent anorexia nervosa toward well-being
Author: Maree Sievwright
Supervisors: Sian Griffiths, Yvonne Thomas
Sievwright, M. (2023). Identifying the factors influencing the occupational identity of people journeying from adolescent anorexia nervosa toward well-being. (Unpublished document submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Occupational Therapy). Otago Polytechnic | Te Pūkenga, New Zealand. https://doi.org/10.34074/thes.6186
Abstract
Occupational Identity describes the way occupation (doing) interacts with a person’s identity, and includes the constructs of occupational identity disruption, discrepancy, and construction. It is not well understood within the field of eating disorders. This project was conducted with people recovered from Anorexia Nervosa in New Zealand and aimed to identify factors influencing the occupational identity of people as they journeyed from adolescent Anorexia Nervosa towards wellbeing. It also aimed to inform the practice of occupational therapists working in the field of eating disorders. A qualitative research project of Interpretive description design recruited 6 people of diverse gender, geographic and ethnic backgrounds who received treatment for Anorexia Nervosa as adolescents between the years of 2012 and 2019. They self- identified as at least one year recovered. Semi structured interviews explored their experiences of occupational identity throughout their journey of anorexia nervosa.
Themes emerged from the research including finding authenticity, recognising the dark side of occupations and the need for adaptation, managing internal factors such as perfectionism, environmental factors such as where they live. Additionally those of stigma, gender and cultural factors that influence access to meaningful occupation and support during recovery. The study confirmed the centrality of occupation to people’s experience of identity during recovery from Anorexia Nervosa. A new model describing occupational identity transitions into and out of anorexia nervosa is described, providing an evidence base for occupational therapists' practice as they support the transition into wellbeing for those working to recover from this illness.
Keywords: anorexia nervosa, authenticity, eating disorders, occupational identity, occupational therapy
Licence
A copy of the thesis is publicly available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives licence CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International
