Reclaiming the Body: Identity Reconstruction in Women Recovering from Eating Disorders
Keywords:
Eating disorders, recovery, identity reconstruction, embodiment, womenAbstract
Objective: This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of identity reconstruction among women in recovery from eating disorders, with a particular focus on how they reclaim embodied selfhood and reshape their sense of self.
Methods and Materials: Using a qualitative phenomenological approach, this study involved semi-structured interviews with 25 women residing in Canada who self-identified as being in recovery from clinically diagnosed eating disorders. Participants were recruited through online mental health communities and support forums, with inclusion based on self-reported recovery and age range between 21 and 43 years. Data collection continued until theoretical saturation was achieved. Each interview lasted 60 to 90 minutes and was audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis within NVivo software. The analysis followed Braun and Clarke’s six-step approach, with attention to reflexivity, participant validation, and thematic coherence.
Findings: Four overarching themes emerged from the data: (1) Disconnection from the Body, highlighting alienation, shame, and loss of bodily autonomy; (2) Reconstructing Self-Identity, encompassing narrative transformation, emotional integration, and a shift in personal values; (3) Relational Healing and Social Reintegration, describing the repair of familial and intimate relationships and navigation of social stigma; and (4) Empowerment Through Recovery Practices, including the use of mindfulness, creative expression, self-compassion, and autonomy in recovery decisions. Participants described recovery not merely as behavioral change, but as a transformative process involving embodied awareness, emotional reconciliation, and the development of a resilient, post-disorder identity.
Conclusion: Effective recovery support should move beyond symptom reduction and prioritize narrative, emotional, and bodily reintegration through holistic, person-centered approaches.
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