Background: This presentation will provide an overview of the literature relating to eating disorders in women of color by addressing prevalence rates, unique risk factors, assessment tools, and special treatment considerations and interventions. The presentation will primarily focus on African American, Caribbean Black, Asian-American, and Latin-American women, and will aim to enhance the cultural competence of clinicians treating women of color with eating disorders.
Objectives: 1. Identify prevalence rates of AN, BN, and BED for 3 ethnic minority groups respectively 2. Identify at least 3 risk factors for disordered eating specific to women of color 3. Identify at least 2 assessment tools tailored to women of color, which could enhance eating disorder treatment 4. Identify 4 acculturation strategies and understand the relationship between acculturative stress and disordered eating 5. Identify 3 strengths specific to women of color that can facilitate eating disorder recovery
a) Review rates for Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder for Caribbean Black, African-American, Latin American, and Asian-American clients
2) Access to care issues
a) Review results of studies that assess barriers to care that particularly affect women of color with eating disorders
3) Risk factors specific to women of color: Acculturative Stress
a) Define Acculturation and Acculturative Strategies
b) Review studies initially linking acculturation and eating disorder symptomatology
c) Define acculturative stress and related stressors including impact of racism/prejudice
d) Review studies that demonstrate connection between acculturative stress (NOT acculturation in and of itself) and eating disorder symptomatology
4) Risk factors specific to women of color: Strong Black Woman Ideology
a) Define Strong Black Woman/Superwoman Ideology and its sociopolitical/historical context
b) Review studies that outline strengths and negative impact of upholding SBW Ideology
c) Review studies that link level of attachment to this ideology and binge eating
5) Risk factors specific to women of color: Level of Ethnic Identity
a) Define ethnic identity
b) Review studies that link level of ethnic identity and eating disorder symptomatology
6) Culturally-specific assessment tools
a) Describe research-based assessments of acculturative stress (SAFE), strong black woman ideology (stereotypic roles for black women scale), and ethnic identity (cross racial identity scale)
7) Assessment considerations
a) Describe general assessment recommendations based on the risk factors discussed (i.e. questions to ask upon intake and throughout treatment)
8) Culturally-specific resilience factors
a) Review research-based resilience factors specific to women of color that could improve recovery outcomes if cultivated during treatment
9) Treatment recommendations
a) Provide and discuss interventions/treatment goals for women of color with eating disorders, based on the research presented, in order to improve treatment outcomes
Born in Cuba, Thaimi speaks fluent Spanish and is attuned to the needs of multicultural clients and families. Thaimi works as a Primary Therapist at Oliver-Pyatt Centers, treating women with eating disorders. Previously, she worked at a college counseling center, creating the first eating disorder treatment team on campus and primarily treating multicultural clients. These experiences have endowed Thaimi with an acumen for treating complex eating disorders and co-occurring conditions, integrating a multi-culturally competent approach. She recently served as a panelist, educating clinicians regarding the experiences of Latina women with eating disorders. Thaimi is also pursuing certification in Cognitive Processing Therapy.
