Experiences of eating disorders in women 30 years of age and older: a mixed-methods examination

Clinicians and researchers have traditionally viewed eating disorders (EDs) as disorders of adolescence and early adulthood; however, mounting evidence suggests these debilitating disorders also occur in older women (those 30 years of age and older). Unfortunately, the vast majority of research conducted on EDs has ignored older age groups, making it difficult to determine whether older women represent a distinct group among those with EDs. In order to address this limitation I conducted two separate, but related, studies designed to explore the experiences of older Canadian women with EDs and whether this group differs from younger women with EDs in meaningful ways. Study 1 explored how a treatment seeking sample of women ages 30 years and older diagnosed with an ED (N=14) experience their ED and the precipitating factors of ED episodes among this age group using qualitative framework analysis. Study 2 examined the differences in ED severity, symptomatology, comorbidities, and quality of life between women under the age of 30 (younger women; n=338) and those 30 years and older (older women; n=98) in a treatment-seeking sample using quantitative methods. Across both studies the core ED experiences and symptoms of older women were not significantly different from those of younger women. However, differences emerged that suggest older women with EDs are somewhat less severe in terms of their ED symptomatology and comorbid mental disorders, yet older women with EDs may face some unique challenges and consequences that set them apart from their younger counterparts. These results are discussed in the context of previous research understanding the relationship between aging, mental health, and emotional regulation. In sum, the current thesis suggests treatment for older women with EDs should incorporate interventions designed to address the core symptoms of EDs, improve healthy emotion regulation skills, reduce shame, address the consequences for the patients’ families and partners, and treat the multitude of physical health complications seen in this group. Moreover, greater awareness should be brought to the occurrence of EDs in older age groups in order to reduce shame, stigma, and improve early detection of and treatment for EDs among this population.Clinicians and researchers have traditionally viewed eating disorders (EDs) as disorders of adolescence and early adulthood; however, mounting evidence suggests these debilitating disorders also occur in older women (those 30 years of age and older). Unfortunately, the vast majority of research conducted on EDs has ignored older age groups, making it difficult to determine whether older women represent a distinct group among those with EDs. In order to address this limitation I conducted two separate, but related, studies designed to explore the experiences of older Canadian women with EDs and whether this group differs from younger women with EDs in meaningful ways. Study 1 explored how a treatment seeking sample of women ages 30 years and older diagnosed with an ED (N=14) experience their ED and the precipitating factors of ED episodes among this age group using qualitative framework analysis. Study 2 examined the differences in ED severity, symptomatology, comorbidities, and quality of life between women under the age of 30 (younger women; n=338) and those 30 years and older (older women; n=98) in a treatment-seeking sample using quantitative methods. Across both studies the core ED experiences and symptoms of older women were not significantly different from those of younger women. However, differences emerged that suggest older women with EDs are somewhat less severe in terms of their ED symptomatology and comorbid mental disorders, yet older women with EDs may face some unique challenges and consequences that set them apart from their younger counterparts. These results are discussed in the context of previous research understanding the relationship between aging, mental health, and emotional regulation. In sum, the current thesis suggests treatment for older women with EDs should incorporate interventions designed to address the core symptoms of EDs, improve healthy emotion regulation skills, reduce shame, address the consequences for the patients’ families and partners, and treat the multitude of physical health complications seen in this group. Moreover, greater awareness should be brought to the occurrence of EDs in older age groups in order to reduce shame, stigma, and improve early detection of and treatment for EDs among this population.

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