Example psychotherapy dissertation topic 1:

Factors affecting adult onset (45 years +) eating disorders.

Much research has been conducted with regard to childhood and adolescence onset eating disorders, whereas less is known about the triggers for adult onset disorders (affecting those aged 45 years and older). This paper considers both male and female subjects within the target age range and seeks to understand the degree to which mid-life issues affect eating disorders. The dissertation focuses particularly on the influence that the media has on sufferers with claims that lifestyle choices such as increased exercise and dieting will extend longevity, and whether such influence has a greater effect on males or females. Holistic profiles of patients will form part of the process in order to determine whether there are differences between those who have experience mid-life marital breakdown and those who remain in stable, long-term relationships.

Suggested initial topic reading:

• Allaz, A-F., Bernstein, M., Rouget, P., Archinard, M. and Morabia, A. (1998). ‘Body weight preoccupation in middle-age and ageing women: A general population survey’. International Journal of Eating Disorders, vol. 23, pp. 287-294.
• Forrester-Knauss, C. and Zemp Stutz, E. (2012). ‘Gender differences in disordered eating and weight dissatisfaction in Swiss adults: Which factors matter?’ BMC Public Health, vol. 12(1), pp. 809-818.
• Roy, M. and Payette, H. (2012) ‘The body image construct among Western seniors: A systematic review of the literature’. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, vol. 55(3), pp. 505-521.