Browsing by Author "Tovey, Anya"

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    Lived experiences of diabulimia : a reflexive thematic analysis : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Psychology at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2023) Tovey, Anya
    Eating disorders (EDs) and disordered eating behaviours (DEBs) are significantly more prevalent among individuals with type 1 diabetes than the general population. Not currently recognised in the DSM-5-TR, diabulimia is a colloquial term for a diabetes-specific DEB characterised by the intentional reduction or omission of exogenous insulin to influence body shape or weight. Although it is a particularly dangerous and potentially wide-spread form of DEB, diabulimia remains understudied and there is limited qualitative literature on the experiences of individuals with diabulimia. Drawing on data generated in semi-structured interviews with 10 women recruited from online communities, I explored what the experience of diabulimia is like, what it means, and how it is understood. I analysed this data using reflexive thematic analysis through a lens of critical realism. Four key themes were developed: (1) diabetes distress and burnout; (2) perceptions of being in or out of control; (3) shared knowledge and understanding; and (4) a reason to recover. Findings indicate that diabulimic behaviour has a variety of complex motivations, and is about more than weight and shape. Individuals with diabulimia distinguish their diabulimic identity from other DEB subtypes, and articulate the need for improved knowledge and understanding among healthcare professionals. Motivations to engage in recovery varied, and recovery was often contingent on the acceptance of diabetes more broadly. These findings contribute to psychosocial theories of diabulimia, help healthcare professionals to better understand the experience of diabulimia, and have important implications for the support and treatment of individuals with diabulimia.