Young Adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa—The Cooperation between Parents and Medical Personnel in Stationary Treatment

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the role of cooperation between medical personnel and the parents of adolescent patients with anorexia nervosa in stationary treatment. The medical documentation of 36 patients under 14 years old was analyzed using Consensual Qualitative Research methodology. Qualitative analysis allowed two parent groups to be distinguished: those cooperating with medical personnel and those with difficulties in collaboration. The BMI of children with cooperative parents was significantly higher at the end of treatment, with no difference at the beginning. Hospitalization was a difficult experience for parents and cooperation with personnel was burdened by mistrust, concerns, and doubts.

Keywords:

• Anorexia nervosa
• adolescent patients
• parents
• cooperation
• stationary hospitalization

Declaration of interest statement

The authors report there are no competing interests to declare.