Consequences of Teen Parenthood for Teen Mothers and Fathers in Canada

Perception of Autonomy and Connectedness Prior to the Onset of Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa

Zeitschrift für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie und Psychotherapie ◽

10.1024/1422-4917/a000150 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 40 (1) ◽

pp. 61-68 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Julia Huemer ◽

Maria Haidvogl ◽

Fritz Mattejat ◽

Gudrun Wagner ◽

Gerald Nobis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Anorexia Nervosa ◽

Risk Factor ◽

Bulimia Nervosa ◽

Family Environment ◽

Significant Influence ◽

Diagnostic Interview ◽

Individual Autonomy ◽

Mothers And Fathers ◽

Image Test ◽

Restrictive Type

Objective: This study examines retrospective correlates of nonshared family environment prior to onset of disease, by means of multiple familial informants, among anorexia and bulimia nervosa patients. Methods: A total of 332 participants was included (anorexia nervosa, restrictive type (AN-R): n = 41 plus families); bulimic patients (anorexia nervosa, binge-purging type; bulimia nervosa: n = 59 plus families). The EATAET Lifetime Diagnostic Interview was used to establish the diagnosis; the Subjective Family Image Test was used to derive emotional connectedness (EC) and individual autonomy (IA). Results: Bulimic and AN-R patients perceived significantly lower EC prior to onset of disease compared to their healthy sisters. Bulimic patients perceived significantly lower EC prior to onset of disease compared to AN-R patients and compared to their mothers and fathers. A low family sum – sister pairs sum comparison – of EC had a significant influence on the risk of developing bulimia nervosa. Contrary to expectations, AN-R patients did not perceive significantly lower levels of IA compared to their sisters, prior to onset of disease. Findings of low IA in currently ill AN-R patients may represent a disease consequence, not a risk factor. Conclusions: Developmental child psychiatrists should direct their attention to disturbances of EC, which may be present prior to the onset of the disease.

Download Full-text