Todos Comemos: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of Rural Hispanic/Latina Women Diagnosed with an Eating Disorder

Abstract

Eating disorders are incredibly impactful and can be detrimental to the livelihood and health of those who are diagnosed with one. As racial minority populations continue to grow in the United States, research must continue to explore the impact mental health has on people coming from different backgrounds. Latinos/Hispanics are one of the largest minority groups in the country (Gandara, 2015; Gearing et al., 2024; Passel et al., 2011), so in order to maintain both validity and inclusivity within psychological literature, there must be efforts made to continue research on ethnic minorities. For the purpose of clarity and consistency, and despite there being different origins, it should be noted that Latinos and Hispanics are terms that are used interchangeably throughout this particular paper (Martinez & Gonzalez, 2021). The purpose of this study was to answer the question, “How are rural Hispanic/Latina women, who are diagnosed with an eating disorder, affected by culture, community, and treatment options?” Using a qualitative approach, six participants were recruited and asked to fill out a demographic questionnaire and complete a semi-structured interview with the researcher. Several themes were gathered from the interviews including the impact family has on those diagnosed with an eating disorder, the way culture may impact both the development and recovery of an eating disorder, community/cultural norms, treatment options and the impact rural living can have on someone seeking treatment for an eating disorder. Findings from this study have the possibility of providing much needed insight into a community that is often underserved and overlooked. Future research should continue to explore cultural factors that impact mental health in order to expand literature on rural Hispanic/Latina women.