Literature review:
According to the work of a registered nurse and mental health counsellor specialising in eating disorders, Ellen Della, suggests that there is a link between eating disorders and an individual’s personality. There seem to be a conflict between the mind and the soul; she claims that the body is the battleground for this conflict. She claims that an estimation of about 20-25% of individuals who suffer from eating disorders is also suffering from either one or more personality disorder. Personality disorder is a deviation from the normal.
The eating disorders research unit also supports the idea that conflict with own personality has link with eating disorder. According to eating disorder research unit, if an individual is suffering from some sort of psychological problems then the likeliness of them developing eating disorders is increased.
According to the National Institute of Mental health, specialising in eating disorders found that individuals “share a certain personality traits: low self-esteem, feelings of helplessness and a fear of becoming fat” ()
In a study conducted by Narduzzi and Jackson (2000), evidence was found that certain personality patterns are different between eating-disordered patients and the normal population. Narduzzi and Jackson examined an eating disordered group and a none clinical group to see if there were differences in levels of “independency” and the need for social acceptance. They found that the eating disordered group of women seemed to be “overly invested in maintaining a sense of separateness and independence from others on the one hand, and were overly invested in interpersonal relations as a source of self esteem on the other” (Narduzzi and Jackson, 2000, p705).
Palme and Palme (1999) found in their study that there was a significant correlation of personality between women seeking treatment for eating disorders. They were found to have higher levels of anxiety, muscular tension and higher level of suspiciousness than the normal population.
The proposed research questions will work and build on top of previous research that has been carried out in this field. The proposal aims to determine why some people develop bulimia and others anorexia. The previous research has suggested that individuals suffering from eating disorders have similar personality traits, however this proposal will go further with the aim of determining whether there is are difference of personality between individuals suffering from anorexia or bulimia.
The literature review was very extensive, in the sense that it covered a broad range of theories and ideas on eating disorders, which were relevant and specifically related to the proposed research question. The key theories and research are somewhat old as the majority of the research found in this area was carried out many years ago i.e. Dana and Lawrence (1988). It is very important to have up to date research and theories in this field as the society today is not same as it was then, twenty or thirty years ago. Therefore, the research may not be as relevant to today’s society. The literature related to the proposal was easily understood and well related to the field of eating disorders and personality traits of individuals.
The relevance of the proposed research is relevant to today’s society and also to the sufferer of the disorder and their family and friends. It is more often than not forgotten that the family members and friends are affected by an individual’s eating disorder in various ways. In addition, the treatment provided currently to people suffering from eating disorders is not specific, taking this in to account then there is a real relevance in finding out if there is any sort of personality difference between anorexic or bulimic suffers in order to help future treatment provided to be specific.
The main research question is to find out in the context of eating disorders: What are the reasons behind some people developing anorexia and others developing bulimia?
The sub-research question for this research is, what role personality plays in making individuals more prone to suffering from bulimia instead of anorexia?
The objectives of the research are to provide a description of bulimia and anorexia. To provide relevant evidence of past and present research. To come up with a set of questions that would be relevant to a personality questionnaire, and to carry out this questionnaire on a sample. In addition, the objective of this research is to conduct a semi-structured interview with sample of people and record the data in the relevant format and finally analyse the data to determine whether there are identifiable differences in personality traits between the two suffers.
Method:
The aim of the research is to gain a deeper understanding of the personalities of people suffering from eating disorders, by drawing upon various theories. Also to gain a better understanding of the lives of people suffering from eating disorder and also to be able to provide better treatment in future if any differences are found.
An inductive approach was used, as the aim was to explore the literature and data available in this area, to come up with a possible theory. The multi method design strategy, seem to be the best method to use in this type of research, this method seem the best way to gain access to these individuals, often sufferers find it difficult to admit to their illness. Also the multi method design strategy enables you to carry out research on two levels; first being, collecting data via a personality questionnaire and the second being, carrying out a more in depth semi-structured interviews with a chosen sample.
The proposed method of this proposal will be carried out on two groups, one group being bulimic and the other anorexic suffers. The number of participants in each group will be 20 to 30, the number of participants will be same in each group, who will be asked to take part in a personality questionnaire and a semi-structured interview that should in all last no longer than 1 hour 10 minutes per client. The settings of the research will be closed to ensure that anonymity is maintained for all participants, also in order to make them feel comfortable with their surroundings.
The results will be tested using the quantitative method, in order to discover any relationship between personality traits and the client developing bulimia or anorexia.
The main problem that this proposal will face is ‘how do you know the clients are telling the truth?’ as the individuals can answer the question in the way they think is expected of them to answer. Therefore again the multi method approach is better as it is easier to question the clients answers during the semi-structured interview.
Other problems arsing in this research include problems with the questionnaire. The clients could misinterpret the questions or not understand them. Once again to tackle this problem the multi method approach seem to be the best at the clients can probe or question point they not understand.
The semi-structured interview will be carried out after the initial personality questionnaire is completed in closed settings, the interview will be carried to gain a deeper understanding. The interview allows the researcher to probe clients answers with further questions, therefore enabling the researcher to respond to the clients answers with further questions if needs be.
The semi structured interviews will be carried out on the same sample of clients involved in the questionnaires. However, the clients will be given the choice as to whether they wish to partake in one or both research methods. A minimum of five clients and a maximum of ten clients are required in order for the findings of the research to be valid. The limit on the number of participant in the semi-structured interview is due to time and cost issues.
The reliability of the conclusion can be gained by contacting organisations associated with eating disorders, such as the Eating Disorders Association (EDA). The reliability of the research also depends on the honest responses from the client. Therefore, it is important to keep reassuring the clients that they can be truthful without worrying of any consequences; also the clients will be reminded every now and then that anonymity is assured. The reliability also depend on how the research question are interpreted by clients, this problem could be overcome by carrying out an initial pilot study, to find out if there are any problems with the interpretation of questions. If any problems are detected at this early stage then they can be corrected in the manner that when the client comes to answer the question you are ensured that the question will be understood properly.
The information will be thoroughly checked for errors again to ensure reliability, and will be presented in an easy to understand format and easy to analyse.
The validity of conclusion will be ensured, as the research will be based on a reliable method of data collection.
All the clients involved in the research will be made fully aware of the aims and objects of the research, giving them the option decide if they want to partake in the research or not. In addition, the clients will be made aware of the fact that they can decide to pull out of the research at anytime without worrying about the consequences. In addition, the clients will be made aware they if they wish not to answer any questions then they do not have to.
Organisations related to eating disorders will be contacted to gather information and help.
There seem to be minimal risks associated with the proposed research as from the start of the research all the clients will be made aware of the aims and objective of the research and will be able to ask any question they may have regarding the research before and during the research being carried out.
Copies of the research report will be distributed to all the organisations involved in the research and to all the clients if they wish to view the report upon request.
The sample method used will be none probability, snowball sampling. Snowball sampling will seem to be the best choice to gain access to individuals suffering from eating disorders. The main problem faced by the snowball sampling technique is that it may not provide a representative sample of the population, leading to problems when trying to generalise with the research. This difficulty is difficult to avoid due to the initial problems of gaining access.
Data collection method and analysis plan:
Data will be collected in the form of a questionnaire, which will consist of open and closed question to which the response may require either one-word answers or a more detailed response. The data will also be collected in the form of a semi-structured face-to-face interview.
For the questionnaire, tests of statistical significance will be used in order to evaluate the hypothesis to find out if there are any correlations. This method seems to be the best if an attempt to generalise will be made. The level of statistical significance will be 5%.
In addition, the bi-variate analysis method will be used in order to find out if there are any links between the personality traits and people developing an eating disorder.
The research for the proposal will be carried out over a number of weeks, gathering information and contacting various organisations.
The personality questionnaire should take about 10-15minutes to complete, the interview will also have a time limit of about 45 – 50 minutes. The interviews and the questionnaires with the clients will be carried out over a period of two days, giving the clients the choice to choose which session they would like to attend, in advance via the post. The data collected will be analysed using SPSS.
Bibliography
BBC online (2003) Eating Disorders, from: , accessed on April 18th 2004.
Dana, M and Lawrence, M (1988) Women’s Secret Disorder: A New Understanding of Bulimia, London, Grafton Books.
Dally, P. (1969), Anorexia Nervosa, London, William Heinemann Medical Books LTD.
DeLella, E, (2002), Does Your Personality Make You Prone to an Eating Disorder? From: http//: Accessed on April 28th 2004
Eating Disorders Research Unit (2003), How Common Are Eating Disorders? Institute of Psychiatry, London, from http//:www.eatingresearch.com Accessed on April 28th 2004
Erichsen, A. (1985), Anorexia nervosa: The Broken Circle, London, Faber and Faber
Fairbairn, W.R.D, (1952), Psychoanalytic Studies of personality, London, Routledge and Paul.
Logue, A.W (1986), The Psychology of Eating and Drinking, New York, WH Freeman and company.
MacLeod, S. (1989), The Art of Starvation, London, Virago LTD.
National Eating Disorders organisation, Eating Disorders Information, United States, Accessed on 19th April 2004
Sacker, I.M. and Zimmer, M.A. (1987) Dying to be Thin, United States of America, Warner Books.
Watson, C. (2004) Research Methods, from Accessed 28th April 17th, 20th, 23rd May 2004.