Intensity of family dysfunction is associated with severity of adolescent anorexia nervosa

ABSTRACT

Objectives. To identify the presence of distinct family profiles in anorexia nervosa and to assess the association between the severity of the families’ dysfunction and the severity of the adolescents’ clinical profiles. Methods. One hundred and eighty-one adolescents (12–18 years old) with anorexia nervosa were recruited in specialized eating disorder programmes and filled out validated questionnaires. Results. Four family profiles were identified based on the severity of the families’ dysfunction. About 75% of the families showed few or no difficulties. Adolescents presented more severe psychological profiles when their families displayed more severe dysfunctional profiles. Conclusion. Only 7.2% of the families were characterized by a generalized relational disorder. Relationships between family dysfunction and adolescents’ psychological dysfunction should be considered for the selection of interventions.

KEYWORDS:

• Anorexia
• family functioning
• clinical profile
• typology
• family characteristics

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.