The Phenomena of Couple Therapy where Weight-Related Concerns are Present: Feminist Considerations and Implications
Date
2019-06-27
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Abstract
In the following manuscript-based dissertation, I explore the phenomena of couple therapy with couples where weight-related concerns (WRC) including (a) body-weight and/or food preoccupation, (b) weight-related body dissatisfaction, and/or (c) disordered eating or excessive exercise behaviours (Allison & Baskin, 2009; Neumark-Sztainer, 1995) are present. Three interconnected manuscripts investigate the phenomena, or methods to inquire into the phenomena, from a feminist standpoint (Harding, 2007) epistemology. In manuscript one, I provide a scoping review of the cultural diversity of couples, and WRC included, in research about couple therapy where WRC are present (Tkachuk, Russell-Mayhew, Kassan, Dimitropoulos, & Hayden, 2018). In manuscript two, I propose modifications to Giorgi’s (2009) descriptive psychological phenomenological method for the analysis of dyadic interviews, which includes couple interviews (Tkachuk, Russell-Mayhew, Kassan & Dimitropoulos, 2019). In manuscript three, I report the experiences of couples/individuals who participated in couple therapy where WRC were present. In completing this dissertation, I hope to contribute to a larger discussion about the phenomena of couple therapy where WRC are present. I discuss gaps in the existing literature and several ways researchers may begin to address them. Such an understanding may assist in developing practice recommendations for psychologists in providing couple therapy where WRC are present.
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couple therapy, weight-related concerns, eating disorders, food and weight preoccupation, body dissatisfaction, couples, descriptive psychological phenomenology, cultural diversity
Citation
Tkachuk, M. (2019). The Phenomena of Couple Therapy where Weight-Related Concerns are Present: Feminist Considerations and Implications (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.