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Evaluation ViewAttendees 5

Eating Disorders
Symposia

Symposium 71 - Diversity in eating disorders treatment: understanding divergent experiences and working towards equitable care

Saturday, November 16, 2024
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM EST
Location: Grand Ballroom E, Level 5, Downtown Marriott
CE: 1.5

Keywords: Anorexia, Treatment, Oppression
Level of Familiarity: All
Recommended Readings: Gordon, K. H., Perez, M., & Joiner Jr, T. E. (2002). The impact of racial stereotypes on eating disorder recognition. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 32(2), 219-224.,   Neyland, M. K. H., & Bardone-Cone, A. M. (2019). Treatment experiences of Latinas with current or past binge eating disorder and/or bulimia nervosa. Eating Disorders, 27(2), 253-265.,   Thompson, C., & Park, S. (2016). Barriers to access and utilization of eating disorder treatment among women. Archives of Women's Mental Health, 19, 753-760.,   Gordon, A. R., Beccia, A. L., Egan, N., & Lipson, S. K. (2024). Intersecting gender identity and racial/ethnic inequities in eating disorder risk factors, symptoms, and diagnosis among US college students: An intersectional multilevel analysis of individual heterogeneity and discriminatory accuracy. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 57(1), 146-161.,  

Eating disorders (EDs) afflict individuals of all identities and backgrounds. Existing barriers to treatment are often exacerbated for populations that are systematically marginalized and disadvantaged (e.g., Gordon et al., 2002; Neyland & Bardone-Cone, 2019. In this panel, we present research that investigates the extent to which ED treatment experiences differ across groups. First, Casey Stern will present data on the relationship between weight stereotypes and ED recognition in the general population. Participants (n = 180) each read vignettes describing individuals with different EDs, and were randomized to three different experimental conditions concerning the weight of the individuals in the vignettes (overweight, normal weight, and underweight). Findings suggest that the general population may be more likely to identify a problem, recognize distress, and refer for treatment in overweight individuals with EDs compared to normal weight individuals with EDs. Second, Aspen Martin will present data on treatment experiences among ethnically and racially diverse participants with a history of EDs compared to White participants. Participants (41 White and 27 Non-White individuals) answered questions about their experiences pursuing care for their EDs. Results indicated that non-White participants reported a significantly lower total number of ED treatments received than White participants. Non-White participants identified the lack of cultural competence among providers as a significantly more substantial barrier to treatment than White participants. Third, Reza N. Sahlan will discuss data on associations between self-compassion and ED symptoms in Iranian adolescents using latent profile analysis. This is the first study to investigate the relationship between self-compassion and specific ED symptoms in an Iranian sample, whereas most prior research on self-compassion and ED symptoms has taken place in Western societies. Participants (n = 913) exhibited a negative association between self-compassion and ED symptoms, as well as a negative association between mindfulness and most ED symptoms. Treatment implications will be discussed. Fourth, Taylor Penwell will present data on differences in barriers to ED treatment access between those with public and private insurance. Participants (n = 2,018) answered questions about financial barriers they had experienced while pursuing ED treatment. Findings suggested that those with public insurance are less likely to find ED providers in-network overall, less likely to find experienced ED providers who accepted any insurance, and less likely to have the correct level of care covered by their insurance than those with private insurance. Fifth, Avantika Kapadia will discuss research on intersecting systems of oppression in those with EDs. She will discuss data on the prevalence of oppression in participants with EDs (estimated n = 100). Treatment implications for these findings will be discussed. Finally, Dr. Margaret Sala will close the symposium with a synthesis of all presentations, including limitations of the presented research, implications of these findings for the pursuit of equitable ED treatment, and future research directions.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this session, the learner will be able to:
  1. Identify how eating disorders can differentially impact individuals with diverse identities and backgrounds
  2. Discuss divergent experiences with eating disorder treatment and barriers to care associated with group membership
  3. Name possibilities for utilizing research findings in pursuit of more equitable care
  4. Identify the importance of prioritizing diversity in eating disorder research and how this relates to treatment accessibility
  5. Utilize their knowledge to bolster the cultural competence and cultural humility of the care they provide

Presentations:

  • 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM EST
    (SYM 71) Weight Stereotypes Impact Eating Disorder Recognition in the General Population

    Speaker: Casey M. Stern, B.A. (she/her/hers) – Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology

    Co-author: Melanie Kressel, PsyD (she/her/hers) – Columbia University Counseling and Psychological Services

    Co-author: Rachel Flamer, MA (she/her/hers) – Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology

    Co-author: Lata McGinn, Ph.D. (she/her/hers) – Yeshiva University - Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology/CBC

    Co-author: Margarita Sala, PhD (she/her/hers) – Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Yeshiva University

  • 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM EST
    (SYM 71) Treatment Experiences of Racially and Ethnically Diverse Participants with Eating Disorders

    Speaker: Aspen Martin, B.S. (she/her/hers) – Yeshiva University

    Co-author: Sarah Song, B.A. – Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology

    Co-author: Margarita Sala, PhD (she/her/hers) – Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Yeshiva University

  • 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM EST
    (SYM 71) Subtypes of Self-compassion Their Associations with Eating Disorder Symptoms Among Iranian Adolescents

    Speaker: Reza Nahid Sahlan, Ph.D. (he/him/his) – The State University of New York at Buffalo

  • 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM EST
    (SYM 71) Insurance Impacts Barriers to Quality Eating Disorder Treatment Access in the United States

    Speaker: Taylor Penwell, B.A. (she/her/hers) – University of Montana

    Co-author: Samantha Bedard, M.S. – University of Wyoming

    Co-author: Rebecca Eyre, M.A. – Project HEAL

    Co-author: Cheri Levinson, Ph.D. (she/her/hers) – University of Louisville

  • 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM EST
    (SYM 71) The Integration of Oppression Related Variables into Eating Disorder Research

    Speaker: Avantika Kapadia, M.S. – University of Louisville

    Co-author: Savannah C. Hooper, B.A. – The University of Louisville

    Co-author: Emma K. Crumby, BS – University of Louisville

    Co-author: Yara Mekawi, Ph.D. – University of Louisville

    Co-author: Cheri Levinson, Ph.D. (she/her/hers) – University of Louisville