Nurses’ Establishment of Health Promoting Relationships: A Descriptive Synthesis of Anorexia Nervosa Research

Abstract

Qualitative values that address personal and interpersonal dimensions are often overlooked in research that examines mental well-being among young patients with anorexia nervosa. The aim of this review was to identify and describe factors that promote and impede the relationships between nurses and the children, adolescents and young adults who are diagnosed with anorexia nervosa and also to explore and describe how those relationships benefit the patients' processes toward increased health and well-being. A descriptive literature synthesis was conducted following the four steps as described by Evans. The three databases CINAHL, PsycINFO and PubMed were used to search for qualitative articles. Fourteen articles met the criteria for inclusion and were analysed. Key findings were identified, and categories and themes were formulated and compared across the studies. Four themes are presented in the results: (1) The essentials in a relationship; (2) The person at the centre; (3) The nurses' attitudes; and (4) Knowledge. In addition to the contribution to the knowledge of how anorexia is manifested, our findings demonstrate the necessity for nurses to be person-centred in their relationships with patients and to have attitudes characterised by presence, genuine commitment and motivation. Nurses are more likely to convey a sense of trust and safety when they communicate with openness and honesty. Our review suggests that the motivation for patients to adhere to treatment is likely to increase when nurses approach patients with these characteristics and attitudes. We argue that the findings are relevant for nurses in their everyday practices.

The lived experience of working with people with eating disorders: A meta‐ethnography

“…Our meta‐ethnography highlighted coping strategies which appear conducive to HCP and service‐user wellbeing. The emphasis on connecting with common humanity, and being humbly open to learning and support, are similar to the findings of Salzmann‐Erikson and Dahlén (), and Seah et al (). What is novel is the notion of mindfully drawing on this humanity and humility to adopt a compassionate approach that eschews the rigidity of avoidance or blame.…”

“…This is the first meta‐ethnography to focus exclusively on HCPs' lived experiences of working with people with EDs. As well as supporting the findings of previous reviews (Salzmann‐Erikson & Dahlén, ; Seah et al, ; Sibeoni et al, ; Thompson‐Brenner et al, ), it yields new insights regarding the experiences of this work, and approaches to managing challenges in clinical practice. Findings from 37 studies, which spanned 21 years and were of moderate to high quality, were synthesized to produce a key concept of “Coping with caring without curing.” The meta‐ethnography describes how those working in ED services are limited in their capacity to help, which creates a painful dissonance that can impact on enjoyment of the job, perceptions of service users, and working alliances.…”

Anxiety Disorders and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder

“…For example, some studies have found anxiety in ASD to be positively correlated with intelligence quotient (IQ), whereas others have found no relationship or, in some cases, a negative correlation [18, 23, 24, 25•]. Furthermore, other studies have found that only specific anxiety symptoms (e.g., generalized, separation, and panic-related worries) were associated with higher IQ in individuals with ASD [23].…”

Dynamics of nurses’ authority in the inpatient care of adolescent consumers with anorexia nervosa: A qualitative study of nursing perspectives

“…That is, to be aloof or detached from consumers is not conducive to interpersonally sound nursing care. Adolescents who have received care for AN place value on interpersonal supportive relationships with healthcare professionals (Salzmann‐Erikson & Dahlén ; Sibeoni et al . ).…”