The Importance of Considering Personal Recovery for Eating Disorders.

OBJECTIVE

Definitions of recovery from eating disorders (EDs) have traditionally emphasised symptom reduction and functional restoration. However, growing research highlights the importance of integrating personal recovery, defined by self-acceptance, autonomy, and psychological wellbeing. This study explored the relationship between partial clinical remission and personal recovery in individuals with lived experience of an ED.

METHOD: A total of 234 participants (N = 234; Mage = 28.10; 89.3% female; 49.6% non-heterosexual) were recruited online and completed measures assessing ED symptom severity, quality of life, and personal recovery. Criteria for partial clinical remission were based on established cut-offs for measures of ED symptomology. Personal recovery was defined by self-endorsement of a validated recovery framework.

RESULTS

Chi-square tests revealed that rates of personal recovery (52.1%) were significantly higher than rates of partial clinical remission (22.6%). While clinical remission increased the likelihood of personal recovery (OR = 6.46), many participants endorsed personal recovery despite not meeting clinical criteria. No significant differences in personal recovery were found between ED types or between heterosexual and non-heterosexual participants as an exploratory analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings underscore the importance of incorporating personal recovery constructs into ED assessment, treatment, and outcome monitoring.