The lived experience of anorexia nervosa in adolescence, comparison of the points of view of adolescents, parents, and professionals: A metasynthesis.

Background Anorexia nervosa in adolescence has been increasingly documented in numerous quantitative and qualitative studies. Qualitative research, which focuses on subjective experience, is a well-established method to deepen our understanding and provide new insights about specific diseases. Objective We conducted a metasynthesis of qualitative studies to explore how anorexia nervosa is experienced by adolescents, their families, and the health professionals who provide care for them and to compare their perspectives. Review methods Five databases (Medline, PsycINFO, CINHAL, EMBASE, SSCI; 1990–2015) were systematically searched for qualitative studies reporting participants’ views about anorexia nervosa. Article quality was assessed with the Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP). We used thematic synthesis to examine and summarize the topics found in the articles selected and develop their central themes. Results We included 30 articles from seven different countries. Two domains of experience were inductively developed from the analysis: (1) constructs and beliefs about etiological theories of anorexia nervosa, and (2) the experience of the disease from the points of view of adolescents, parents, and healthcare providers. Conclusions We found important disparities between the three stakeholders. The adolescents underlined the psychological and emotional aspects of their experience, while the visible state of these patients’ bodies impeded the work of the professionals. These difficulties shed new light on the stakes of treatment of anorexia nervosa in adolescence, which must integrate both its psychological and physical components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]