The impact of narrative storytelling on cognitive re-composition in individuals struggling with eating disorders.

Abstract

Externalization is the separation of the person from the problem. This narrative based research used a mixed method research design conducted with 16 participants. Participants engaged in writing stories from an externalized perspective of the eating disorder. Relevant themes emerged from the externalized writing process. Themes included: self concept, family/social relationships, eating disorder character, allies to eating disorder, deification of eating disorder, sexuality, inner strength, and voice of eating disorder. Although quantitative analysis did not yield significant results, qualitative findings yielded information that may facilitate understanding and psychological treatment of persons struggling with eating disorders.