Research
The book, Narrative Journeys of Young Black Women with Eating Disorders: A Hidden Community Among Us, below is based on original qualitative inquiry conducted with three participants - Veronica, LaTonya, and Teresa - who comprised a mixed ED sample. The names in the book have been changed from the original research. High level information about the original research can be gleaned from this poster view. Deeper understanding of the research as voiced through the participants is found in the book.
About the Book...
Narrative Journeys of Young Black Women with Eating Disorders: A Hidden Community Among Us explores how the realities of three young black women who have experienced eating disorders in childhood were transformed, discussing the larger implications of disordered eating in underrepresented populations. People of all ethnic, gender, and socioeconomic backgrounds are susceptible to their grips, yet black women and children are experiencing eating disorders and suffering in silence due to shame and stigma. Due to barriers such as the conventional thought that eating disorders do not occur in the black community, they are often not acknowledged, discussed, or treated properly. Dr. Stephanie Hawthorne argues that these women’s lived experiences substantiate the need for culturally sensitive and inclusive prevention, intervention, and care when it comes to mental health, and offers recommendations to schools, clinicians, parents, and adolescents to accomplish these goals. Scholars of communication, mental health, race studies, education, and medicine along with clinicians and parents will find this book particularly useful. This book can be found at any major bookstore and www.roman.com (ISBNs: hardback 978-14985-8983-3 / e-book 978-1-4985-8912-3. You can also submit an interest form to purchase a copy.
About the Researcher...
Greetings! A few years ago, I made the decision to return to school and seek a doctorate in education. As I embarked on my research journey, I did not realize the amazing experience I would have as a researcher, interacting with young women whom I didn’t know prior would trustingly open their worlds to me and with vulnerability share their incredible journeys of recovery. After spending many hours with each of them, I learned their triumphs of pain, struggle, courage, and hope. Their stories and overall messages led to “brick in the wall” research and a book entitled Narrative Journeys of Young Black Women with Eating Disorders: A Hidden Community Among Us based in qualitative inquiry. Their voices left an indelible mark on my soul; and I believe adding to the existing knowledge of EDs in this population, of which little is known, is critical to understanding the pathology, prevention, and intervention of these illnesses. My goal is to continue my research in the BIPOC population in this vital area of health.
I am forming an interest list of volunteer participants. If you want to learn more about becoming a potential volunteer participant, then click the button below to complete an interest form. You can also reach me at dr.stephanieahawthorne@gmail.com.
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Although my research focused on young adults, I would be remised if I didn’t discuss the impact that EDs have on parents and in what ways parents can help mitigate the development of these illnesses or support their children in recovery. A few years ago, I interviewed a few parents regarding their children’s struggles with EDs. Revealing information was shared.
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If you’re a caregiver of someone struggling with an ED and would be interested in participating in my next research project, then please click the button below to complete the interest form. I’ll then be in touch to share the parameters of the project once my research gets on its way.
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Dr. Stephanie Hawthorne, EDD, CCIEDC
Speaking Experience:
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2019 Co-Presenter – Education Conference at William Jessup University, School of Education
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2018 Presenter and Moderator – International Conference on Urban Education
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2018 Co-Presenter – Education Conference at William Jessup University, School of Education
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2017 Presenter – Conference on Academic Research in Education
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2016 Presenter – International Conference on Urban Education
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2016 Presenter – Hawaiian International Conference on Education