The impact of working in eating disorder settings on staff

Objective: Research into how staff working in eating disorder setting may be affected by their work is still a reasonably new area, with many previous studies relying on homogenous groups for recruitment or utilising survey based methodologies. Therefore, this study used a grounded theory approach to construct a theory of changes to body image, perceptions of food and diet experienced by clinicians, how these changes are experiences or made sense of, and what factors may contribute to these changes.

Method: Thirteen members of staff were interviewed about their body image and eating habits before and since working in eating disorder settings. Participants were drawn from a range of different staff groups. Interviews were analysed using grounded theory to develop a theoretical model of why changes to body image and eating habits may occur.

Results: Three core categories were defined, and a theoretical model was postulated in which pre-existing body image and ideas of food, the work environment, access to support, the impact of patients themselves and promotion of chaotic eating through the work itself all interplay to create change. Individual differences in management and the “personalised meaning” ascribed to these changes media how these changes are labelled and managed. Implications for future research and clinical practice are discussed.