Parenting Styles and Disordered Eating Among Youths: A Rapid Scoping Review

Abstract

Youth is a critical period in the development of maladaptive eating behaviors. Previous systematic reviews suggest the etiological significance of parent-child relationships for the onset of disordered eating in youth, but less is known about the role of parenting styles. This rapid scoping review aimed to identify whether research supports the role of parenting styles in the development of disordered eating symptoms among youths. Sixteen studies, retrieved from three databases (PsycArticles, PsycInfo, and BASE), met the inclusion criteria: original studies, published in English, examined the effect of parenting styles (authoritative or neglectful) on cognitive (drives for thinness and body dissatisfaction) and behavioral (weight control behaviors) disordered eating outcomes, among young people up to 18 years of age. Studies supported an association between various youth disordered eating symptoms such as unhealthy weight control behaviors, and experiences of adverse parenting styles characterized by high levels of control and low levels of responsiveness. Associations between adverse parenting styles and youth disordered eating were frequently indirect and differed depending on the sex of the parent and offspring. Synthesis of findings was limited due to variation in the operationalization and measurement of parenting styles, family context and disordered eating across studies. Longitudinal and standardized research is required to better understand the dynamic associations between parenting styles and youth disordered eating. Implications for family-based care in clinical practice are discussed.

An investigation of associations between parenting and binge eating across pubertal development in pre‐adolescent and adolescent female participants

“…Nonetheless, we did observe significant main effects for parenting behaviors/styles that were consistent with past studies in older adolescents and adults (Hampshire et al, 2022 ). Specifically, we found lower care, higher overprotection, and higher parent–child conflict, in addition to “nonoptimal” parenting styles (i.e., affectionless control, affectionate constraint, and neglectful parenting) were all associated with higher levels of binge eating.…”

“…Unfortunately, no studies have examined whether differences in parenting during puberty are associated with binge eating in girls. Findings suggest binge‐eating symptoms are significantly associated with low parental care (Ackard et al, 2006 ; Hampshire et al, 2022 ) and high parental control (Depestele et al, 2017 ; Hampshire et al, 2022 ; Salafia et al, 2009 ), although most of these studies have relied on retrospective reports of parenting and focus on older adolescents/young adults only. Two studies examined age differences in parenting/disordered eating associations across adolescence in girls.…”

Parenting styles, maladaptive coping styles, and disturbed eating attitudes and behaviors: a multiple mediation analysis in patients with feeding and eating disorders

“…Although the lifetime prevalence of this group of disorders has been reported to be relatively low (0.8% to 11%) ( Dahlgren, Wisting & Rø, 2017 ), factors such as high levels of complexity, heterogeneity, chronicity, ego-syntonicity, and comorbidity with other psychiatric disorders have caused FED to be recognized as one of the most complicated psychopathologies ( Brown et al, 2016 ). Since patients with FED display significantly more disturbed eating attitudes and behaviors (EAB) than healthy subjects, research is required to identify risk factors associated with these attitudes and behaviors to understand the clinical course of FED and also improve physical health or psychosocial functioning among this clinical group ( McClelland et al, 2020 ; Hampshire, Mahoney & Davis, 2022 ). While empirical findings have supported some of the psychopathological risk factors as potential etiological factors for abnormal EAB, their specific mechanisms remain unknown ( McClelland et al, 2020 ; Hampshire, Mahoney & Davis, 2022 ; Sheffield et al, 2009 ).…”

“…Since patients with FED display significantly more disturbed eating attitudes and behaviors (EAB) than healthy subjects, research is required to identify risk factors associated with these attitudes and behaviors to understand the clinical course of FED and also improve physical health or psychosocial functioning among this clinical group ( McClelland et al, 2020 ; Hampshire, Mahoney & Davis, 2022 ). While empirical findings have supported some of the psychopathological risk factors as potential etiological factors for abnormal EAB, their specific mechanisms remain unknown ( McClelland et al, 2020 ; Hampshire, Mahoney & Davis, 2022 ; Sheffield et al, 2009 ).…”

Maternal Bonding as a Protective Factor for Orthorexia Nervosa Risk in Dietetics Students

“…Parents play a crucial role in helping both adolescents and young adults to master the tasks associated with their development to maturity [ 24 ], and several characteristics of adverse parenting styles have been associated with DE in the offspring [ 25 ]. The findings of several studies suggest that a particular parenting style that is warm, involved, and characterized by disciplinary methods that are supportive rather than punitive, and is firm and consistent in setting and enforcing guidelines and boundaries, with developmentally appropriate expectations, is advantageous in supporting adolescents.…”