In my undergraduate thesis, I explored men with eating disorders, their experiences, specifics, as well as how gender norms, social media and other factors play a major role in one’s development and continuation of an eating disorder. In the theoretical part, I firstly summarized eating disorders while contextualising them within a social dimension. I followed up with exploring the prevalence of eating disorders in men and how it differs as with their female counterparts. Furthermore, I explored any specific which are common with my target population. Afterwards, I explored the topic of LGBTQ+ men with eating disorders, unravelling the topic of transgender men with similar issues. Furthermore, I explored the specifics of men with eating disorders who lived through sexual abuse. In the theoretical part I included bigorexia as a condition, particularly connected with men and eating disorders. Throughout the later parts of the theoretical analysis, I framed the topic inside feminist theory, as well as exploring the gender conflict theory, gender norms, and how mentioned topics affect men with eating disorders in a societal and personal way. Lastly, I contextualised the topic inside the social work practice, emphasising the need for its increased role in addressing complex issues of the mentioned population. In the empirical part, I compiled the findings of my research through qualitative lens, based on interviews with a non-probability, convenience sample of eight people. The questions in the mentioned interviewed revolved around problems men with eating disorders face, how their issues developed over time, what factors played a key role in their issues, what is their opinion the effects of the male gender on eating disorders, questions around their personal path of finding help and their opinion on the role of social work inside the topic. Throughout it I concluded that men with eating disorders partly stay within standard eating disorder diagnoses, their issues are usually framed within the lack of a positive self-image. Their relationship with food was described as restrictive and excessive, in certain cases, purging, excessive exercise and a preoccupation with nutritious food was also recognised. The main mentioned factors on development and maintaining of issues were their family, friends, peers, school, multimedia content, transgenderism, personal and biological factors, sports, and work. With my research, I problematized the understanding of eating disorders in men, with it being understudied or non-existent. Social media can play a positive role in awareness on the topics of eating disorders in men, yet they also play an important negative effect, mostly due to its promotion of body ideals. Throughout my findings, I recognised that men search for help mostly at their general practitioners, psychologists, psychiatrists or in non-governmental organisations, mostly independently or through help from friends and family. The help offered was rated both positively and negatively, most important factors emphasized the lack of a continuation of help and discrimination, especially in minority groups. My thesis highlights the importance of increasing awareness of the issue withing the circles of those who offer help with eating disorders. Furthermore, I concluded that social workers, among other professionals play a role in the lives of men with eating disorders that is too limited. Instead, they should increase their part inside helping the target population through awareness-building, education, an ethical practice and a preventative approach. The findings give useful information for me, as well as for professionals in the mental health field, and those exploring the topic of help-offering through the prism of gender and minority rights.
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