Family functioning, coparenting, and parents’ ability to manage conflict in adolescent anorexia nervosa subtypes.

Abstract

Introduction: Studies about family functioning in adolescent anorexia nervosa (AN) are conflicting and often do not consider the possible differences between the restricting and binge/purging subtypes (AN-R and AN-B/P). Moreover, an underestimated element is the quality of the coparenting relationship, that is, the level of coordination and agreement between parents, as well as the methods of managing parental conflict. Method:The study aims to explore family functioning, coparenting and conflict management in a sample of 60 adolescents with AN-R and AN-B/P and their relations with AN severity in terms of body mass index (BMI). Patients and parents completed the following questionnaires: Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales, Coparenting Scale-Revised, and Conflict Management Questionnaire. Results: No differences are found in general family functioning between the two groups, but mothers in the AN-R group show a higher coparental conflict and a tendency to use negative-passive ways of conflict management than mothers of the AN-B/P group. Moreover, the presence of a coparental conflict is associated to lower BMI and to more dysfunctional family functioning. Discussion: These findings underline the importance of increasing knowledge on specific aspects of general family functioning. In particular, it seems that the way parents manage conflict between themselves as partners can have a role in the maintenance of AN. Clinical implications of these results are discussed.

Assessing Family Functioning Before and After an Integrated Multidisciplinary Family Treatment for Adolescents With Restrictive Eating Disorders

“…We also found no post-treatment change in the functioning of the parental pair. This is in line with the fact that our treatment model, based on a psycho-pedagogical approach, was designed to strengthen the parental role rather than address relational dynamics (such as conflict and conflict management) between the parents themselves (66). Consequently, we were not surprised that the functioning of the parental pair remained unchanged after the treatment.…”

Perceived and observed family functioning in adolescents affected by restrictive eating disorders

“…Furthermore, we found that both parents perceived low levels of enmeshment and intermediate or low levels on the of disengagement on those Enmeshment and Disengaged subscales. This is consistent with previous studies (Ciao et al, 2015;Criscuolo, Marchetto et al, 2020;Fisher & Bushlow, 2015;Laghi et al, 2017;Ma, 2011;Wallis et al, 2018) that found general agreement among family members. We also found general parental agreement on the Chaos subscale, for which the mean scores of both parents were intermediate, and on the Communication subscale, in agreement with previous studies (Laghi et al, 2017;Visani, 2014).…”

“…Some studies with patients aged 12 to 18 years highlighted different parents' perception of family functioning, whereas others found no differences between parents (Ciao et al, 2015;Criscuolo, Marchetto et al, 2020;Laghi et al, 2017;Ma, 2011;Wallis et al, 2018). Studies showed differences in family functioning related to different subtypes of AN in adolescence.…”

Family Nutrition: Methodological Bases For The Practice Of Nutrionists

“…In an old story, a held belief, the trauma generated or passed down between generations: lack or excess of food/dialogue/affection (Brustenghi et al, 2019;Caslini et al, 2016;Criscuolo et al, 2020;Peltz et al, 2018).…”

“…Others didn't even consider it. However, intrusive mothers, absent fathers, lack of dialogue, insecure attachment, and abuse are some causes and perpetuations, perhaps spanning generations, of eating disorders (Berge et al, 2015;Brustenghi et al, 2019;Caslini et al, 2016;Criscuolo et al, 2020;Erriu et al, 2020;Huffhines et al, 2020;Leung et al, 2019;Norholt, 2020;Tasca, 2019). He believed that the cure lies in the disease itself, in the cause itself.…”