scholarly journals “I’m not a teenager, I’m 22. Why can’t I snap out of it?”A Qualitative Exploration of Seeking Help for a First-Episode Eating Disorder During Emerging Adulthood

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Potterton ◽  
Amelia Austin ◽  
Karina Allen ◽  
Vanessa Lawrence ◽  
Ulrike Schmidt
Keyword(s):  
Emerging Adulthood ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Transition To Adulthood ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Care Pathway ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Developmental Phase ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Recent Onset ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities

Abstract Background: Eating disorders (EDs) typically have their onset during adolescence or the transition to adulthood. Emerging adulthood (~18-25 years) is a developmental phase which conceptually overlaps with adolescence but also has unique characteristics (e.g. increased independence). Emerging adults tend to come to ED services later in illness than adolescents, and emerging adulthood’s unique characteristics may contribute to such delays. Objective: This study aimed to explore attitudes towards ED symptoms, and their implications for help-seeking, amongst emerging adults receiving ED treatment through FREED, an early intervention care pathway. Method: Participants were 14 emerging adults (mean age 20.9 years; SD=2.0), all currently receiving specialist treatment for a first-episode, recent-onset (< 3 years) ED. Semi-structured interviews relating to experiences of help-seeking were conducted, and data were analysed thematically. Results: Symptom egosyntonicity, gradual reappraisal and feelings of exclusion from ED discourse were key attitudinal phases prior to help-seeking, each of which had distinct implications for help-seeking. Conclusions: Emerging adults with first-episode EDs show a distinct set of help-seeking-related challenges and opportunities (e.g. help-seeking for others; help-seeking at transitions; self-sufficiency). This research might be used to inform the development and evaluation of interventions which aim to facilitate help-seeking amongst emerging adults with first-episode recent-onset EDs.

scholarly journals “I’m not a teenager, I’m 22. Why can’t I snap out of it?” A Qualitative Exploration of Seeking Help for a First-Episode Eating Disorder During Emerging Adulthood

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Potterton ◽  
Amelia Austin ◽  
Karina Allen ◽  
Vanessa Lawrence ◽  
Ulrike Schmidt
Keyword(s):  
Identity Development ◽  
Emerging Adulthood ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Transition To Adulthood ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Population Group ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Developmental Phase ◽  
Structured Interviews

Abstract Background Eating disorders (EDs) are serious mental illnesses which typically have their onset during adolescence or the transition to adulthood. Emerging adulthood (EA) (~ 18–25 years) is a developmental phase which conceptually overlaps with adolescence (e.g. both are key periods for identity development) but also has unique characteristics (e.g. increased independence). EA may be a risk-period for delayed help-seeking for EDs, compared to adolescence.Objective This study aimed to explore emerging adults’ attitudes towards their ED symptoms, and their implications for help-seeking. Method: Participants were 14 emerging adults (mean age 20.9 years; SD = 2.0), all currently receiving specialist treatment for a first-episode, recent-onset (< 3 years) ED. Semi-structured interviews relating to experiences of help-seeking were conducted, and data were analysed thematically.Results Symptom egosyntonicity, gradual reappraisal and stereotypical beliefs about EDs were key attitudinal stages prior to help-seeking. Each attitude had distinct implications for help-seeking (e.g. superficial help-seeking; scaffolding by others; helps-seeking at transitions; self-sufficiency, indirect disclosure).Conclusions Emerging adults with first-episode EDs show a distinct set of help-seeking-related challenges and opportunities. These may justify policies and practice tailored specifically to this population group.

scholarly journals “I’m truly free from my eating disorder”: Emerging adults’ experiences of FREED, an early intervention service model and care pathway for eating disorders

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Potterton ◽  
Amelia Austin ◽  
Michaela Flynn ◽  
Karina Allen ◽  
Vanessa Lawrence ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Eating Disorder ◽  
Early Intervention ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Care Pathway ◽  
Support Network ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Service Model ◽  
Access To Treatment ◽  
Rapid Access

Abstract Background Eating disorders (EDs) typically start during adolescence or emerging adulthood, periods of intense biopsychosocial development. FREED (First Episode Rapid Early Intervention for EDs) is a service model and care pathway providing rapid access to developmentally-informed care for emerging adults with EDs. FREED is associated with reduced duration of untreated eating disorder and improved clinical outcomes, but patients’ experiences of treatment have yet to be assessed. Objective This study aimed to assess emerging adults’ experiences of receiving treatment through FREED. Method This study triangulated qualitative data on participants’ experiences of FREED treatment from questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Participants were 106 emerging adults (aged 16–25; illness duration < 3 yrs) (questionnaire only = 92; interview only = 6; both = 8). Data were analysed thematically. Results Most participants reported psychological and behavioural changes over the course of treatment (e.g. reduction in symptoms; increased acceptance and understanding of difficulties). Participants identified five beneficial characteristics of FREED treatment: i) rapid access to treatment; ii) knowledgeable and concerned clinicians; iii) focusing on life beyond the eating disorder; iv) building a support network; v) becoming your own therapist. Conclusion This study provides further supports for the implementation of early intervention and developmentally-informed care for EDs. Future service model development should include efforts to increase early help-seeking.

scholarly journals Assessing implementation fidelity in the First Episode Rapid Early Intervention for Eating Disorders service model

BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katie L. Richards ◽  
Michaela Flynn ◽  
Amelia Austin ◽  
Katie Lang ◽  
Karina L. Allen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Early Intervention ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Care Pathway ◽  
Implementation Fidelity ◽  
Wait Time ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Service Model ◽  
Patient Journey ◽  
Care Package

Background The First Episode Rapid Early Intervention for Eating Disorders (FREED) service model is associated with significant reductions in wait times and improved clinical outcomes for emerging adults with recent-onset eating disorders. An understanding of how FREED is implemented is a necessary precondition to enable an attribution of these findings to key components of the model, namely the wait-time targets and care package. Aims This study evaluated fidelity to the FREED service model during the multicentre FREED-Up study. Method Participants were 259 emerging adults (aged 16–25 years) with an eating disorder of <3 years duration, offered treatment through the FREED care pathway. Patient journey records documented patient care from screening to end of treatment. Adherence to wait-time targets (engagement call within 48 h, assessment within 2 weeks, treatment within 4 weeks) and care package, and differences in adherence across diagnosis and treatment group were examined. Results There were significant increases (16–40%) in adherence to the wait-time targets following the introduction of FREED, irrespective of diagnosis. Receiving FREED under optimal conditions also increased adherence to the targets. Care package use differed by component and diagnosis. The most used care package activities were psychoeducation and dietary change. Attention to transitions was less well used. Conclusions This study provides an indication of adherence levels to key components of the FREED model. These adherence rates can tentatively be considered as clinically meaningful thresholds. Results highlight aspects of the model and its implementation that warrant future examination.

scholarly journals Emerging adults’ family relationships in the 21st century: A systematic review

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolina Oliveira ◽  
Gabriela Fonseca ◽  
Luciana Sotero ◽  
Carla Crespo ◽  
Ana Paula Relvas
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Emerging Adulthood ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Transition To Adulthood ◽  
Family Relationships ◽  
Living Arrangements ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Parent Child Relationship ◽  
Parent Child

<p>The current study aims to describe the relationships between emerging adults and their families and how these evolve over emerging adult years. Through a systematic review of the literature, we extracted data from 38 empirical studies, which met the following inclusion criteria: published since 2000, included emerging adults and/or their relatives as participants, and focused on family relationships. The results showed that most studies examined the parent-child relationship, providing insight into the relational renegotiations occurring during emerging adulthood and into inter-generational discrepancies in the way that parents and children viewed their relationships. Family support was also found to be of substantial relevance during this developmental stage. In addition, sex, age, living arrangements, family structure, socioeconomic status (SES), ethnicity and cultural contexts emerged as key factors influencing family relationships in varied ways. Implications for future research include the need to consider the family as the unit of analysis and to collect data from multiple family members; to conduct longitudinal studies in order to better understand changes in family relationships across emerging adulthood; and to focus on family relationships beyond the parent-child dyads, namely on sibling and grandparent-grandchildren relationships. In conclusion, this review provided a renewed perspective on family relationships during the transition to adulthood, contributing to clinical insights on individual and familial shifts in the fast-paced and complex contemporary context. </p>

scholarly journals The Revised Inventory of the Dimensions of Emerging Adulthood (IDEA-R) and Substance Use Among College Students

2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 401-408 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jon-Patrick Allem ◽  
Steve Sussman ◽  
Jennifer B. Unger
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Emerging Adulthood ◽  
Binge Drinking ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Transition To Adulthood ◽  
Marijuana Use ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Substance Use Prevention ◽  
Identity Exploration

Transition-to-adulthood themes, or thoughts and feelings about emerging adulthood, have been measured by the Inventory of the Dimensions of Emerging Adulthood (IDEA) and found to be associated with substance use among emerging adults. It has been suggested, however, that the IDEA is lengthy and may not include the most unique and theoretically relevant constructs of emerging adulthood. The Revised Inventory of the Dimensions of Emerging Adulthood (IDEA-R) was developed as an alternative instrument, but research has yet to determine the relationship between the IDEA-R and substance use among emerging adults (ages 18–25 years). College students completed surveys indicating their identification with transition-to-adulthood themes and substance use. Logistic regression models examined the associations between transition-to-adulthood themes and marijuana use and binge drinking, respectively. Participants who felt emerging adulthood was a time of identity exploration were less likely to report marijuana use, while feelings of experimentation/possibility were positively associated with marijuana use and binge drinking. The IDEA-R may be useful for identifying correlates of substance use among emerging adults. Future research should evaluate the IDEA-R among representative samples of emerging adults to confirm the findings of this study. Health professionals working in substance use prevention may consider targeting the themes of identity exploration and experimentation/possibility in programs intended for emerging adults.

The influence of culture in emerging adulthood: Perspectives of Chinese college students

2004 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larry J. Nelson ◽  
Sarah Badger ◽  
Bo Wu
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Emerging Adulthood ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Transition To Adulthood ◽  
Chinese Culture ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cultural Construction ◽  
Chinese College Students ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Adult Status

Emerging adulthood refers to a time period (18–25 years of age) between adolescence and adulthood. Recent research suggests that it may be a cultural construction. More traditional, non-Western cultures may have a shortened period of emerging adulthood, or no emerging adulthood at all, because these cultures tend to place greater emphasis on practices that lead to an earlier transition to adulthood. The purpose of this study was to examine emerging adulthood in the Chinese culture, including (1) the types of criteria Chinese young people deem necessary for becoming an adult, (2) the types of behaviours Chinese emerging adults are engaging in, (3) identity-related issues, and (4) other aspects of Chinese culture that might suggest that emerging adulthood in China may be different than in the United States. Participants in this study were 207 students at Beijing Normal University located in Beijing, China. Results provided evidence to support the notion that emerging adulthood is affected by culture. Findings revealed that the majority of Chinese college students (1) feel they have reached adult status in their early twenties, (2) have culturally specific criteria for adult status, and (3) tend to engage in behaviours and have beliefs and values that appear to differ from emerging adults in Western cultures.

Transition to Adulthood of Former Foster Youth

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 311-321 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Pryce ◽  
Laura Napolitano ◽  
Gina M. Samuels
Keyword(s):  
Child Welfare ◽  
Young People ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Transition To Adulthood ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
The United States ◽  
Aging Out ◽  
Former Foster Youth ◽  
Care Patterns ◽  
Depth Interviews

This study examines the experiences of 28 emerging adults (mean age = 22; 16 female, 12 male) who have aged out of the child welfare system in the United States. Findings derived from in-depth interviews focus on the multilevel challenges these young people encounter in the help-seeking process upon aging out of care. Patterns highlight intrapersonal, interpersonal, and systemic barriers to help seeking that limit success of these young people during this developmental transition. These patterns include a sense of help seeking as both essential and inappropriate to development during this period. Patterns also highlight the myriad barriers faced by these young adults as they struggle to connect with critically needed resources during this stage. Implications inform work in child welfare, both with those receiving and providing care, during childhood and throughout the aging out process.

scholarly journals Does involvement in food preparation track from adolescence to young adulthood and is it associated with better dietary quality? Findings from a 10-year longitudinal study

2011 ◽  
Vol 15 (7) ◽  
pp. 1150-1158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa N Laska ◽  
Nicole I Larson ◽  
Dianne Neumark-Sztainer ◽  
Mary Story
Keyword(s):  
Emerging Adulthood ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Transition To Adulthood ◽  
Fast Food ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Food Preparation ◽  
Dietary Quality ◽  
Sugar Sweetened Beverage ◽  
Dark Green ◽  
Over Time

AbstractObjectivesTo examine whether involvement in food preparation tracks over time, between adolescence (15–18 years), emerging adulthood (19–23 years) and the mid-to-late twenties (24–28 years), as well as 10-year longitudinal associations between home food preparation, dietary quality and meal patterning.DesignPopulation-based, longitudinal cohort study.SettingParticipants were originally sampled from Minnesota public secondary schools (USA).SubjectsParticipants enrolled in Project EAT (Eating Among Teens and Young Adults)-I, EAT-II and EAT-III (n 1321).ResultsMost participants in their mid-to-late twenties reported an enjoyment of cooking (73 % of males, 80 % of females); however, few prepared meals including vegetables most days of the week (24 % of males, 41 % of females). Participants in their mid-to-late twenties who enjoyed cooking were more likely to have engaged in food preparation as adolescents and emerging adults (P < 0·01); those who frequently prepared meals including vegetables were more likely to have engaged in food preparation as emerging adults (P < 0·001), but not as adolescents. Emerging adult food preparation predicted better dietary quality five years later in the mid-to-late twenties, including higher intakes of fruit, vegetables and dark green/orange vegetables, and less sugar-sweetened beverage and fast-food consumption. Associations between adolescent food preparation and later dietary quality yielded few significant results.ConclusionsFood preparation behaviours appeared to track over time and engagement in food preparation during emerging adulthood, but not adolescence, was associated with healthier dietary intake during the mid-to-late twenties. Intervention studies are needed to understand whether promoting healthy food preparation results in improvements in eating patterns during the transition to adulthood.

Flourishing in Emerging Adulthood

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Emerging Adulthood ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Transition To Adulthood ◽  
Adult Development ◽  
Dark Side ◽  
Positive Development ◽  
Cultural Immersion ◽  
Time Period ◽  
The Face

The goal of this volume is to highlight the third decade of life as one in which individuals have diverse opportunities for positive development that may set the stage for future adult development, as well as to encourage more research on how young people are flourishing during this time period. Despite a preponderance of focus on the negative or dark side of emerging adulthood in research and the media, there is mounting evidence that this time period, at least for a significant majority, is a unique developmental period in which positive development is fostered. The volume consists of chapters written by leading scholars in diverse disciplines who address various aspects of flourishing. It addresses multiple aspects of positive development, including how young people flourish in key areas of emerging adulthood (e.g., identity, love, work, worldviews), the various unique opportunities afforded to young people to flourish (e.g., service experiences, university-based cultural immersion), how flourishing might look different around the world, and how flourishing can occur in the face of challenge (e.g., health issues, disabilities, exposure to violence). In addition, most chapters are accompanied by essays from emerging adults who exemplify the aspect of flourishing denoted in that chapter, and make note of how choices and experiences helped them (or are currently helping them) transition to adulthood. Taken together, the book provides rich evidence and examples of how young people are flourishing as a group and as individuals in a variety of settings and circumstances.

Learning to Love, Work, and Live Your Best Life: Mentoring in Emerging Adulthood Predicts Later Flourishing and Subjective Well-Being

2021 ◽  
pp. 216769682110128
Author(s):  
Jordan Boeder ◽  
Veronica Fruiht ◽  
Sarah Hwang ◽  
Giovanna Blanco ◽  
Thomas Chan
Keyword(s):  
Emerging Adulthood ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Transition To Adulthood ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Structural Equation Models ◽  
Panel Study ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Adult Lives

Mentors that guide young people in their transition to adulthood provide support in a variety of domains that set the stage for happier adult lives. While mentoring during emerging adulthood is associated with shorter-term social and professional success—less is known about whether mentoring for career and committed relationships, specifically, are linked to downstream well-being. This study uses nationally representative data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics ( N = 6,197) to examine whether receiving mentoring in emerging adulthood is linked to later flourishing and subjective well-being. Structural Equation Models indicate that people with career mentors in emerging adulthood reported higher levels of flourishing and subjective well-being and those with committed relationship mentors reported more flourishing in later life. Findings suggest that emerging adults who receive career supports may have better chances of experiencing well-being downstream.

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