A Mixed Methods Exploration of Eating Behaviours, Body Image and Mindfulness-Based Constructs Among Gay and Bisexual Men

Regan, Harvey (2024) A Mixed Methods Exploration of Eating Behaviours, Body Image and Mindfulness-Based Constructs Among Gay and Bisexual Men. Doctoral thesis, Birmingham City University.

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Text Harvey Regan PhD Thesis published_Final version_Submitted Dec 2023_Final Award May 2024.pdf - Accepted Version Download (4MB)

Abstract

The prevalence of eating and body-related disturbances among gay and bisexual men exceeds those experienced by straight men; with the majority of literature denoting higher rates of eating disorder prevalence and disordered eating. Mindfulness, self-compassion, and mindful eating have been associated negatively with problematic eating behaviours and body-related issues, informing interventions reported as effective at attenuating such issues in the general and more specific populations. The paucity of research exploring problematic eating behaviours and the potential associations of mindfulness-based constructs among gay and bisexual men provides an opportunity to investigate the potential utility of mindfulness-based constructs to attenuate problematic eating and body-related issues. The current thesis aimed to attain insight into the relationships of mindfulness-based constructs to body-related issues and problematic eating, and further gain an understanding as to how these elements are experienced among gay and bisexual men. The thesis comprises of three initial cross-sectional research chapters, followed by three research chapters which adopted a qualitative approach, consisting of an IMR study and two semi-structured interview studies. Overall, the cross-sectional chapters provided insight into the relationships of mindfulness, self-compassion and mindful eating to body image and problematic eating behaviours among queer men. The nuanced role of body acceptance was observed in explaining relationships between mindfulness-based constructs to problematic eating and body-image. Weight- and body- related shame and guilt also explained relationships of mindfulness-based constructs to problematic eating. The proceeding qualitative chapters highlighted the lived experience of participants in relation to their identity, queer culture and self-acceptance, and further, how these elements related to perceptions of body image and engagement in problematic eating. The findings provide an understanding of the potential utility of mindfulness and related elements in attenuating eating and body-related issues among gay and bisexual men, with consideration for future interventions.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Dates:	Date Event 12 December 2023 Submitted 23 May 2024 Accepted
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Gay men; mindfulness; self-compassion; eating behaviours; queer; body image
Subjects:	CAH04 - psychology > CAH04-01 - psychology > CAH04-01-01 - psychology (non-specific)
Divisions:	Doctoral Research College > Doctoral Theses Collection Faculty of Business, Law and Social Sciences > College of Psychology
Depositing User:	Jaycie Carter
Date Deposited:	22 Jul 2024 12:54
Last Modified:	22 Jul 2024 12:54
URI:	https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/15671

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