Transition from an adolescent to an adult eating disorder treatment centre: A qualitative investigation of the experience of inpatients with anorexia nervosa and their carers using interpretative phenomenological analysis

Elisabetta Scanferla; Sabrina Seryer; Bernard Pachoud; Philip Gorwood

doi:10.1002/erv.3030

Transition from an adolescent to an adult eating disorder treatment centre: A qualitative investigation of the experience of inpatients with anorexia nervosa and their carers using interpretative phenomenological analysis

Eur Eat Disord Rev. 2023 Sep 1. doi: 10.1002/erv.3030. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Elisabetta Scanferla^{1

2}, Sabrina Seryer¹, Bernard Pachoud², Philip Gorwood^{1

3}

Affiliations

¹ Clinique des Maladies Mentales et de l'Encéphale, Hôpital Sainte-Anne, GHU Paris Psychiatrie et Neurosciences, Paris, France.
² Université Paris Cité, ED 450, Paris, France.
³ Université Paris Cité, Institut de Psychiatrie et Neurosciences de Paris (IPNP), INSERM, Paris, France.

PMID: 37658485
DOI: 10.1002/erv.3030

Abstract

Aims: To capture the subjective experience of eating disorder patients and their immediate family members in the transition between adolescent and adult treatment services and to explore how both groups make sense of this specific experience.

Design: Qualitative study in the form of in-depth interviews using interpretative phenomenological analysis.

Settings: Participants were recruited from a university department of a large psychiatric hospital specialising in eating disorders between July 2021 and September 2022.

Participants: A convenience sample of 18 participants was recruited, including 12 patients aged 19-30 years (m = 22.5, SD = 3.8) and six of their respective caregivers.

Results: Four main themes were identified in relation to the participants' experience of transition to adult care: (1) the detailed description of the transition process, (2) the emotions associated with this experience, (3) the challenges encountered and (4) recommendations for improving the process. Two fundamental meaning-making processes emerged: the feeling of being "lost in transition" and the opportunity to "become an adult". The results highlighted the factors that characterise this experience for patients and their families, and the need for practical and psychological support during the transition process.

Conclusions: This study provides a unique insight into the experience of patients and their immediate family members regarding the transition from adolescent to adult care. It reveals the multidimensional impact of the transition experience and highlights the need for increased support for family members. These findings may provide new insights into interventions that promote successful transition and encourage rethinking the organisation of this crucial stage of the care pathway.

Keywords: adolescents; adults; anorexia nervosa; care; carers; eating disorders; meaning-making process; subjective experience; transition.