Abstract
Introduction Self-harm is highly prevalent among young people with eating disorders. However, why a young person may develop and continue to experience both an eating disorder and self-harm is unclear. This study will investigate the frequency, intensity, duration, function, context and processes of self-harm among people aged 16–25 diagnosed with an eating disorder. It will explore participants’ perspectives on the genesis and functions of both their self-harm and eating disorder, as well as their support needs. The study was designed with the input of members of a Young Persons’ Advisory Group, who will be key to study delivery and dissemination.
Methods and analysis This exploratory study has a sequential mixed-methods explanatory design. Between 70 and 100 young people aged 16–25 with both an eating disorder diagnosis and self-harm thoughts and/or behaviours will be recruited from three NHS Eating Disorder outpatient services in England. Phase 1: a 14-day (six prompts per day) ecological momentary assessment (EMA) of participants’ feelings, thoughts, motivations, behaviours and experiences of self-harm. Phase 2: 20–30 participants from phase 1 will be reapproached to take part in an in-depth qualitative interview on the psychological, emotional and social factors that underlie their self-harm and eating disorder as well as their support needs. EMA data from phase 1 will be analysed using descriptive and multilevel statistics. Qualitative interview data from phase 2 will be analysed using inductive and deductive thematic analysis. Results from both phases will be integrated using a mixed-methods matrix, with each participant’s data from both phases compared alongside comparative analysis of the datasets as a whole.
Ethics and dissemination The study gained ethical approval from the NHS HRA West Midlands–Black Country Research Ethics Committee (number: 296032). We anticipate disseminating findings to clinical, academic and lived experience audiences, at academic conferences, through peer-reviewed articles, and through various public engagement activities (eg, infographics, podcasts).
Methods and analysis This exploratory study has a sequential mixed-methods explanatory design. Between 70 and 100 young people aged 16–25 with both an eating disorder diagnosis and self-harm thoughts and/or behaviours will be recruited from three NHS Eating Disorder outpatient services in England. Phase 1: a 14-day (six prompts per day) ecological momentary assessment (EMA) of participants’ feelings, thoughts, motivations, behaviours and experiences of self-harm. Phase 2: 20–30 participants from phase 1 will be reapproached to take part in an in-depth qualitative interview on the psychological, emotional and social factors that underlie their self-harm and eating disorder as well as their support needs. EMA data from phase 1 will be analysed using descriptive and multilevel statistics. Qualitative interview data from phase 2 will be analysed using inductive and deductive thematic analysis. Results from both phases will be integrated using a mixed-methods matrix, with each participant’s data from both phases compared alongside comparative analysis of the datasets as a whole.
Ethics and dissemination The study gained ethical approval from the NHS HRA West Midlands–Black Country Research Ethics Committee (number: 296032). We anticipate disseminating findings to clinical, academic and lived experience audiences, at academic conferences, through peer-reviewed articles, and through various public engagement activities (eg, infographics, podcasts).
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | e065065 |
| Number of pages | 13 |
| Journal | BMJ Open |
| Volume | 12 |
| Issue number | 7 |
| Early online date | 27 Jul 2022 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 27 Jul 2022 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This project is funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) under its Research for Patient Benefit (RfPB) Programme (Grant Reference Number NIHR201108). The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.
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