Exploration of the Social Representations of Eating Disorders among Social Workers

Eating disorders are a complex and polysemous social issue. An exploratory study was carried out based on semi-structured interviews with social workers (n = 8) working in psychiatric care in Quebec City and Montréal (Canada). The aim of this research was to highlight the workers’ social representations of eating disorders. The interviewees reported the biopsychosocial complexity of eating disorders. The psychosocial aspects of these disorders are quite significant in the interpretation and representations of social workers. These differ from institutional settings influenced by the organicist paradigm. They refer to civilizational movements and the change of the value system as important aetiological factors in the development of this problem. The knowledge of these representations appears to be a tool for understanding the often complex realities related to the world and makes it possible to develop more appropriate care approaches. Issues regarding the training and identity of social workers are highlighted.