Motivation to Recover from Bulimia: Application of the ToPB V1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Motivation to Recover from Bulimia Nervosa: An Application of the Theory of Planned Behaviour
IRAS ID
325024
Contact name
Samantha van Huyssteen
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of East London
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 27 days
Research summary
Bulimia Nervosa (BN) is an eating disorder involving recurrent cycles of binging and purging. The physical health consequences are significant, as is the risk of sudden cardiac death. BN is typically associated with feelings of ambivalence about recovery and low motivation to change.
Research concerning eating disorders tends to focus on the experiences of Anorexia Nervosa (AN), and the current dominant model for understanding motivation to change in eating disorders, the Transtheoretical Model of Change, has drawn mixed conclusions about applicability to eating disorders (Dray & Wade, 2012; Vall & Wade, 2015; Wilson & Schlam, 2004). A study by Dawson et al., (2015) instead applied the Theory of Planned Behaviour to understanding motivation to recover from AN. The Theory of Planned Behaviour describes intention to engage in a particular behaviour as being most predictive of change, influenced by 3 key variables: attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control. Dawson et al., (2015) found that variance in intention to recover and to eat normally and gain weight were largely predicted by these variables. Where individuals with BN may hold more negative attitudes and have lower perceived control over their eating disorder than individuals with AN, this theory could provide a useful framework for understanding motivation to recover, which would have implications for research and clinical practice in the NHS.
The proposed research intends to extend the findings of Dawson et al., (2015) by applying the Theory of Planned Behaviour to understanding motivation to recover from BN. Adults aged 18 or over who are currently receiving treatment from a community NHS Eating Disorder Service for BN will be invited to participate. Participants will complete a number of questionnaires, taking approximately 30 minutes, relating to current eating disorder behaviours, stage of change in recovery, mood, anxiety and stress, and what motivates them to recover from BN.
REC name
London - Chelsea Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/LO/0576
Date of REC Opinion
28 Jul 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion