Romantic relationships, clinical and sub-clinical eating disorders: a review of the literature

Abstract

There has been significant research suggesting a connection between eating disorders and intimate/romantic relationships over the past 20 years. Nevertheless, relationship therapy has rarely been part of the treatment process in people with these conditions and, indeed, eating disorder specialists are usually unfamiliar with the role of a relationship therapist. Moreover, although relationship therapists are likely to encounter patients with eating disorders in their practices, they often do not feel skilled when managing these complex disorders. This paper reviews the available literature in the field of eating disorders and intimate/romantic relationships. It finds that the research suggests that concomitant marital, intimate and romantic difficulties are associated with eating disorders and are likely to be a maintaining factor, although the direction of causality is unclear, and that consideration should be given to using relationship therapy for patients with eating disorders.

Keywords:

• eating disorders
• anorexia nervosa
• bulimia nervosa
• intimate relationships
• marital relationships
• romantic relationships
• review