Anorexia nervosa and marriage

Abstract

Twenty‐one percent of 246 consecutive female anorexics seen at a specialist clinic were married. Married and single adult anorexics (controlled for duration of illness) were compared on illness and personal and family background variables. Features of illness were similar in both groups, with only an equivocal excess of bulimic habits in married women. They differed, however, in age of onset of anorexia nervosa and in family background. Married women became anorexic significantly later than single women. The families of origin of married women showed a trend toward less conflict and less conflict avoidance. They were significantly less enmeshed than those of single women and there was a tendency for more married womens' parents to break up and remarry. We discuss how the family dynamics, which seem to differentiate the two groups, may determine whether or not the woman marries and the timing of the onset of her illness in relation to marriage.

Transition to motherhood in women with eating disorders: A qualitative study

“…A possible explanation is that the lack of menstruation and menstrual irregularity is common among women with ED, which results in uncertainty as to whether they are able to conceive or not. Alternatively, it also could be linked to the delicate relationship with sexuality that women with ED seem to have (Beumont, Abraham, & Simson, 1981;Haimes & Katz, 1988;Heavey, Parker, Bhat, Crisp, & Gowers, 1989;Raboch & Faltus, 1991;Vaz-Leal & Salcedo-Salcedo, 1992), as reviewed in Wiederman (1996). Unfortunately, research conducted so far on this topic is not extensive.…”

Partner distress in the context of adult anorexia nervosa: The role of patients' perceived negative consequences of AN and partner behaviors

“…The interpersonal context of anorexia nervosa (AN) is critical in adolescents, both in terms of the maintenance and treatment of the disorder . However, for patients with AN who are adults, their romantic partners may be their primary interpersonal relationship . Importantly, recent research suggests that involving partners in the treatment of AN can be quite valuable .…”

“…[1][2][3] However, for patients with AN who are adults, their romantic partners may be their primary interpersonal relationship. [4][5][6] Importantly, recent research suggests that involving partners in the treatment of AN can be quite valuable. 7 Thus, it is important to better understand partners' experience of and behavioral responses to AN to inform treatment.…”

Marital status, marital satisfaction, and body image dissatisfaction

“…Recent studies have suggested an increase in the number of adult women with eating disorders (Dally, 1984), hence a significant percentage of such women are married or in long-term relationships (Garfinkel & Garner, 1982;Heavey, Parker, Bhat, Crisp, & Gowers, 1989). Little attention has been given to the relation between marital status or marital functioning and eating disorders (Foster, 1986;Van Den Broucke & Vandereycken, 1987).…”