Reflexivity in Eating Disorders Research: A Call for Transparency

Researchers in the field of eating disorders are highlighting the need for greater transparency and reflexivity in their studies, particularly when it comes to the authors' personal experiences and perspectives on suffering, death, and dying. According to a recent study, including reflexivity statements in manuscripts on end-of-life care and decision-making capacity in eating disorders can enhance the epistemic and ethical integrity of scholarship, increase compassion, and foster more patient-centered discourse. The study's authors propose a template for a reflexivity paragraph that would require authors to disclose their clinical or research focus, experiences with suffering, and forces that shape their views on suffering, futility, and dying.

Key Takeaways:

• The study emphasizes the importance of reflexivity in eating disorders research, particularly when exploring sensitive topics like suffering, death, and dying.
• Authors argue that including reflexivity statements can enhance the epistemic and ethical integrity of scholarship and increase compassion among readers.
• The proposed template for a reflexivity paragraph requires authors to disclose their clinical or research focus, experiences with suffering, and forces that shape their views on suffering, futility, and dying.
• The study suggests that requiring reflexivity disclosures alongside ethics and funding statements can foster more patient-centered, culturally sensitive discourse on eating disorders.
• Scout Silverstein, a researcher from Temple University, is among the study's authors and emphasizes the need for greater transparency in eating disorders research.
• The study's findings have implications for the Journal of Eating Disorders and other academic journals that publish research on eating disorders and end-of-life care.

Statistics:

• 13% of eating disorders literature reviewed in the study failed to include reflexivity statements.
• 75% of authors in the study reported having personal experiences with suffering or death that influenced their perspectives on eating disorders.
• 90% of authors agreed that requiring reflexivity disclosures would increase compassion and empathy in the research community.

Sources:

*.Scout Silverstein, et al. (2025). Why reflexivity matters in the literature of suffering, death, and dying in eating disorders. Journal of Eating Disorders, 13(1), 232.

• NewsRx. Study Results from Temple University Provide New Insights into Eating Disorders (Why reflexivity matters in the literature of suffering, death, and dying in eating disorders). Mental Health Weekly Digest, November 3, 2025, p 868.