Eating disorders as a spiritual hunger: A phenomenological inquiry into the role of spirituality in recovery

Despite advancing research and theoretical understandings, eating disorders have been found to be refractory to current treatment approaches. Recently, outcome studies have been conducted suggesting that spirituality may assist in the recovery process. This research investigated the journey of 6 women who recovered from an eating disorder and consider spirituality and integral part of that experience. Through in-depth, unstructured interviews, participants shared their lived experience and resultant meaning of how spirituality assisted them in their recovery from an eating disorder. The data were analyzed using the psychological phenomenological research method. From this analysis, 4 essential structures were found that facilitate a greater understanding of the role of spirituality in healing. These structures include (a) the use of the eating disorder as a coping mechanism to deal with psychosocial stressors; (b) spirituality as a means of connection to a Higher Power, self, others, and the world; (c) a perceptual shift allowing for new understanding of self and world; and (d) the mobilization of inner resources to break old patterns. These results provide additional insight and understanding into current theories of eating disorders, including etiology and treatment. Implications and recommendations for future research are discussed.