EYS3126 Dissertation Assignment
EYS3126 Research Proposal And Dissertation Assignment
Section
Working title: (Summarizes what the research is about)
Early identification of Children with Anorexia Nervosa (AN) and intervention strategies for them and their carers
Health practitioners and teacher views on early childhood influence that may lead to eating disorders
EYS3126 Dissertation Assignment
Rationale: (Justifies personal choice of topic + why it is important to EY?)
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is an eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight, self-starvation, and an extreme preoccupation with body weight and shape. Individuals with this condition often have a distorted body image and see themselves as overweight, even dangerously thin (Silén and Keski-Rahkonen, 2022). Anorexia nervosa is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that requires professional treatment. It is estimated that between 0.5-1 percent of children in the Western world suffer from anorexia nervosa (AN) (Silén and Keski-Rahkonen, 2022), a potentially life-threatening eating disorder characterized by severe restriction of food intake, an intense fear of gaining weight, and a distorted body image. Despite its high prevalence, the disorder is often not identified until it reaches an advanced stage, at which point treatment becomes more difficult. A growing body of evidence suggests that early identification of anorexia and intervention can improve outcomes (Niculaet al., 2022). However, healthcare professionals and the general public still lack knowledge about the signs and symptoms of anorexia nervosa, which can make it difficult to identify the disorder early. This study aims to investigate the feasibility of early identification of anorexia nervosa and to develop intervention strategies for children and adolescents with the disorder and their families. This research will help improve our understanding of identifying and supporting children with the condition and their carers. I chose this topic because I am passionate about helping children and young people who are suffering from mental health issues. Anorexia Nervosa is a serious and potentially life-threatening eating disorder that affects children and young people in the UK. As a practitioner in early years, I believe that it is important to identify and intervene early with children who are showing signs of AN, in order to provide them with the best possible chance of recovery. Early intervention is also imperative for the families of children with AN, as they need support and guidance to understand the condition and to help them to cope with the difficulties they may face.
EYS3126 Dissertation Assignment
This topic is vital to early years settings, as it highlights the need for practitioners to be aware of the signs and symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa in order to identify any children who may be at risk. It is also imperative to understand the strategies and interventions that can be used to support children with AN, and their families, in order to provide them with the best possible chance of recovery. This can help to ensure that all children in the early years setting feel safe, secure and supported, and can help to create a positive learning environment for all.
EYS3126 Dissertation Assignment
Aims and objectives:
(Clear about the overall purpose/ what I hope to find out. Research questions specified)
This study investigates the outcomes of early identification and intervention strategies for children with Anorexia Nervosa (AN) and their carers. The specific objectives are to:
- Explore the relationship between early identification of Anorexia Nervosa on improved well-being of children and their carers.
- Identify the signs and symptoms of AN in children[HS1] [HS2] .
- Investigate the intervention strategies of anorexia in children and their carers.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention strategies in reducing the risk of AN in children.
The research seeks to answer the following research questions
- What is the relationship between early identification of Anorexia Nervosa and improved wellbeing of children?
- What are the signs and symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa in children?
- What are the intervention strategies for anorexia in children and their carers?
- What is the effectiveness of the intervention strategies in reducing the risk of Anorexia Nervosa[HS1] in children?
EYS3126 Dissertation Assignment
Literature Outline: (Brief overview/starting point for Lit Review. Evidence that some Literature search started
This literature review will focus on early identification of anorexia nervosa (AN) in children and effective intervention strategies for them and their carers. The focus of this review is to identify existing research and evidence-based practice regarding the early identification of AN in children, and the effectiveness of intervention strategies for them and their carers to support their recovery. A search of the literature was conducted using the databases CINAHL Plus, PubMed, PsycINFO and Google Scholar. Search terms used included ‘anorexia nervosa’, ‘children’, ‘early identification’ and ‘intervention strategies. This search yielded a total of 28 articles relevant to this review.
EYS3126 Dissertation Assignment
Signs and symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa in children
AN is a serious and potentially life-threatening eating disorder characterised by an intense fear of gaining weight, self-imposed starvation, and an abnormally low body weight (Niculaet al., 2022). Anorexia Nervosa typically begins during adolescence but can also affect younger children.
Relationship between early identification of Anorexia Nervosa and improved wellbeing of children
Early identification of Anorexia Nervosa can have a significant impact on the wellbeing of children and their carers. Early intervention can help to reduce the severity of the disorder and lessen the impact on both the child and their carers (Herpertz-Dahlmann and Dahmen, 2019). Furthermore, it can provide carers with a better understanding of the disorder and help them to provide appropriate care and support for the child.
Intervention strategies of anorexia in children and their carers Evaluate the effectiveness.
There are several effective intervention strategies for both children and their carers. These include psychoeducation, family therapy, and cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) (Nepomuceno et al., 2022). CBT is particularly effective in helping children to develop healthy eating behaviours and to cope with negative thoughts and feelings about their bodies. Early identification of Anorexia Nervosa in children is essential in order to provide timely and effective treatment (Herpertz-Dahlmann and Dahmen, 2019). Several effective intervention strategies are available to both children and their carers.
EYS3126 Dissertation Assignment
Research Design: (Explains methods and methodology and locates within a paradigm. Chosen methods appropriate to questions and justified by reference to research methods texts)
The research design for this study will be a qualitative approach. Qualitative research can provide valuable
insight into the complex, individualized nature of the disorder (Mukherji and Albon, 2018), and how it affects the lives of those living with it. By gathering information from those directly affected by AN[HS1], qualitative research can be used to gain a better understanding of the disorder and its impact, and to develop more effective interventions. The qualitative data will be collected using a case study approach, with semi-structured in-depth interviews and focus groups conducted with a small number of children with anorexia and their carers (McLeod, 2019). This will provide detailed insights into their experiences and perceptions of anorexia nervosa and its treatment. The research paradigm that can go with a qualitative approach is an interpretive paradigm. The interpretive paradigm is based on the idea that knowledge is socially constructed and that the researcher should strive to understand and interpret the meanings and experiences of individuals within their contexts (Rehman and Alharthi, 2016). This approach emphasizes the importance of exploring the lived experiences of those affected by anorexia nervosa and[HS2] their carers, as well as the factors that increase the risk of the disorder in children.
EYS3126 Dissertation Assignment
Ethics: (Demonstrates consideration of relevant ethical issues and how to address them)
The research should adhere to ethical guidelines set out by the British Educational Research Association (BERA) and the Ethical Code of Conduct for Educational Research (ECCERA). These include the principles of respect, beneficence, justice and non-maleficence (BERA, 2018). It is important that the research is conducted in a respectful and non-judgmental way, ensuring that the participants’ autonomy is respected and that their rights are safeguarded. Confidentiality must be maintained throughout the research process, and participants must be protected from risks or harm.
EYS3126 Dissertation Assignment
Timeline: (Shows some idea of the main phases of the project and how long each might take)
Phase 1: Research proposal (1 month)
Phase 2: Review of existing literature on the topic (1 month)
Phase 3: Data collection from relevant studies (1 month)
Phase 4: Analysis of data collected (2 months)
Phase 5: Report writing (1 month) Phase 6: Presentation of findings (1 month)
Bibliography: (May include sources not referenced in the text but identified as relevant for future Lit Review. Accurate Harvard style observed)