Strengths Use and Eating Disorders

About this study

Research Team

Gemma Hart (student in Master of Clinical Psychology), Dr Aaron Veldre (PHD), Dr Kelly Dann (PHD)

Institution

University of Technology Sydney

Ethics Approval Number

ETH21-6431–M–7–2025

Funding Source

None

Project Start Date

1 July 2025

Project End Date

1 October 2026

Participants

Individuals 18 years or older, who have received a formal diagnosis of an eating disorder.

What is Involved

Participants will complete two online surveys, three months apart, reflecting on their strengths, goals, and mental health. Interpretive content analysis will be conducted on participants\' personal strengths and goals reflections, to identify common themes. Additionally, quantitative analysis will be conducted on measures of participant wellbeing (including depression, anxiety, stress, strengths use and self-efficacy), taken alongside the completion of the strengths and goals reflection, and at the three month follow-up. This analysis aims to identify both potential immediate and long-term effects of self-reflection on wellbeing.

Ethics Approval Number

ETH21-6431–M–7–2025

Location

Online (RedCap)

Contact Details

Gemma Hart 0410 677 667 gemma.h.hart@student.uts.edu.au


This project explores how people with current or past eating disorders use their personal strengths and goals to support their wellbeing. The study aims to understand which strengths and goals matter most to this group, and whether reflecting on them helps encourage strengths use, self-efficacy, and emotional wellbeing. Insights from this research could help inform form more tailored approaches to the treatment of eating disorders, better aligned with individuals’ lived experiences and priorities.



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