Perspectives on interpersonal relationships in a sample of patients with eating disorders: findings from the online forum groups of the Interconnected Project

Background: Interpersonal relationships play an important role in the development, maintenance, treatment, and recovery of eating disorders (EDs). However, less is known about how individuals with EDs themselves understand their interpersonal experiences across illness and recovery. This study explored how women with a diagnosed ED or undiagnosed ED symptoms describe and interpret their interpersonal relationships. Method: The study formed part of the INTERconNEcT-ED(s) project. Data consisted of 32 synchronous online forum transcripts, providing both spontaneous accounts and responses to guided questions concerning participants’ experiences. Data were analyzed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis. Results: Three themes and 11 subthemes were generated. Living under relational threat captured experiences of judgment, incomprehension, perceived inadequacy, and loneliness, which contributed to interpersonal guardedness and withdrawal. Holding on to the possibility of connection reflected the persistence of the desire for closeness, including experiences of supportive relationships and efforts to turn towards others during recovery. Corrective relational experiences: discovering that relationships can heal described how the forum enabled participants to experience recognition, understanding, hope, and opportunities to learn recovery through others. Conclusions: Findings highlight the complex interplay between interpersonal relationships and ED experiences. Relationships were experienced both as sources of vulnerability and as potential contexts for healing and recovery. The study also demonstrates the value of qualitative approaches for accessing participants’ lived interpersonal experiences.