Our lives are intertwined with various challenges that are further shaped by rapid social changes, technological development, globalization, and changing lifestyles. Among the increasingly common health and social issues of modern society are eating disorders, which represent complex mental health conditions and significantly affect an individual's physical, psychological, and social functioning. Their development is influenced by numerous interconnected factors, including social environment, culture, emotional and physical trauma, mental health, and genetic predispositions (Sternad, 2001, pp. 18–31).
In Slovenia, comprehensive data on the prevalence of eating disorders are still lacking, and specialized forms of support remain relatively limited. In addition to several non-governmental organizations, only one specialized treatment program for eating disorders operates within the healthcare system.
The aim of this master's thesis is to explore the experiences of users who participated in a treatment program for people with eating disorders at a psychiatric hospital unit in Ljubljana. Particular attention is given to their experiences of treatment, the identification of positive and negative aspects of the program, the role of social work, and the identification of users' needs and opportunities for improving existing support and care processes.
The research is based on a qualitative approach. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. The study is qualitative in nature, as it is based on the participants' verbal and descriptive accounts.
The findings indicate that users place the greatest value on psychotherapeutic treatment, peer support, relationships with professionals, and the support provided by social workers. At the same time, they highlight shortcomings related to the lack of individualized treatment, insufficient dialogue, inadequate preparation for discharge, and the lack of continuous support following treatment completion.The findings emphasize the importance of a holistic, individualized, and participatory approach to the treatment of eating disorders, in which social work plays an important coordinating, advocacy, and empowering role.
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