Guilt and Shame as an Enigma in Mothers Who Suffer from Eating Difficulties

Background: Some mental health problems can have a strong influence on the sense of guilt and shame. Eating difficulties (ED) such as anorexic, bulimic or binge behaviours are likely to be related to a guilty conscience and being ashamed oneself. About 90% of those who suffer from ED are females of childbearing age, and many are mothers. Only a small percentage of women who suffer from ED actually receive treatment, and guilt and shame can be one of the reasons for not seeking help. The direct or indirect impact on the mother childrelationship increases the need to focus on motherhood and individual daily life experiences of ED. Aims and research questions: The overall aim of this thesis was to gain a deeper understanding of the phenomenon of guilt and shame by exploring mothers’ experiences of suffering from ED (Paper I), women’s experiences of ED in daily life (Papers II-III) and investigating mothers` experiences of guilt and shame related to motherhood (Paper IV). The specific aims were: to explore motherhood in the context of ED (Paper I); to explore women’s bodily experiences of suffering from ED (Paper II); to explore the daily life experiences of women who suffer from ED (Paper III); and to illuminate and interpret guilt and shame as expressed by mothers with ED (Paper IV). The research questions were: What are mothers’ daily life experiences when suffering from ED? (Paper I). How do women who suffer from ED experience the bodily aspects related of their condition? (Paper II).