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Symposia

Eating Disorders

Diversity in eating disorders treatment: understanding divergent experiences and working towards equitable care

2 - (SYM 71) Treatment Experiences of Racially and Ethnically Diverse Participants with Eating Disorders

Saturday, November 16, 2024
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM EST
Location: Grand Ballroom E, Level 5, Downtown Marriott
Abstract Body
Eating disorders (EDs) are a serious public health concern. Although EDs affect individuals of all races and ethnicities, ethnic minority individuals are less likely to seek out and receive ED treatment than White individuals. The present study aimed to compare ED treatment experiences in a sample of Non-White vs. White participants. Specifically, we sought out to compare treatments received, perceived helpfulness of treatment, and barriers to treatment. As a secondary aim, we explored how acculturation and mental health stigma factors were associated with ED treatment experiences. We recruited 41 White and 27 Non-White individuals with a history of EDs through advertisement on social media and listservs to answer questions for an online survey addressing their ED treatment experiences. We found several important differences in the treatment experiences of Non-White vs. White participants. First, Non-White participants reported a significantly lower total number of ED treatments received than White participants(p = .025). Non-White participants were significantly less likely to seek out inpatient (p = .010) and day treatment/ partial hospitalization (p = 0.003) than White participants. Second, Non-White participants rated nutritionists (p = .027) and residential treatment (p = .01) as significantly less helpful than White participants. Third, Non-White participants identified the lack of cultural competence among providers as a significantly more substantial barrier to treatment than White participants (p < .001). Finally, among Non-White participants, higher immersion in dominant society correlated positively with perceived helpfulness of ED treatment experiences (r = .63, p < .001).