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

Abstract

Objective Romantic partners can play an important role in the recovery from anorexia nervosa (AN). It is important to understand partners’ behaviors and variables associated with their own distress. The aim was to examine associations of patients’ perceived negative consequences of AN, behavioral strategies employed by partners, and partner distress. Method We used a cross-sectional design to assess associations between self-reports of patients’ perceived negative consequences of AN, partners’ caregiver distress, negative affect, relationship satisfaction, and observational coding measures of partners’ behavioral strategies of change promotion and acceptance/validation. Sixteen adult patient-partner dyads in committed relationships were assessed at baseline of a couple-based intervention for AN. Results Partners’ change promotion moderated the association between patients’ perceived negative consequences of AN and partners’ caregiver distress. Partners’ acceptance/validation was associated with partners’ negative affect. Discussion This report represents the first description of specific partner behaviors in the context of AN. Partners who reported the least distress were those who were trying to promote changes in AN behaviors in patients who reported high negative consequences of AN, and partners who were trying to show understanding of the patients’ experience. Future studies should examine the impact of partner behaviors on AN treatment outcome.

Partners' experiences of living with a person with an eating disorder: A grounded theory study

“…Consistent with findings in studies exploring the intimate relationship in couples where one member is experiencing an ED (Van den Broucke & Vandereycken, ; Van Buren & Williamson, ; Fischer et al, ; Woodside et al, ), the current study also finds relationship functioning becomes disrupted and highlights that, in the presence of repeated ED setbacks, relationship functioning does not return to that previously enjoyed by the couple. Hence, partners look for other ways to enhance the relationship experience.…”

“…In the limited literature exploring the impact of living with a person with an ED in the context of the intimate relationship, difficulties with communication, intimacy, and relationship satisfaction have been reported (Van den Broucke, Vandereycken, & Vertommen, ; Dick, Renes, Morotti, & Strange, ; von Soest & Wichstrøm, ; Whisman, Dementyeva, Baucom, & Bulik, ; Woodside, Lackstrom, & Shekter‐Wolfson, ). Further, some studies suggest that these difficulties are likely to serve as a maintaining factor for the ED (, & &Whiteley, 2; Fischer, Baucom, Kirby, & Bulik, ). Much of the research exploring partners' experiences, however, include them as a subset of the total carer population, where they are treated as a homogenous group of carers (Coomber & King, ; De La Rie, Furth, & Koning, ; González, Padierna, Martín, Aguirre, & Quintana, ; Haigh & Treasure, ; Padierna et al, ; Perkins, Winn, Murray, Murphy, & Schmidt, ).…”

“…Further, some studies suggest that these difficulties are likely to serve as a maintaining factor for the ED (2012, & &Whiteley, 22012;Fischer, Baucom, Kirby, & Bulik, 2015). Much of the research exploring partners' experiences, however, include them as a subset of the total carer population, where they are treated as a homogenous group of carers (Coomber & King, 2013;De La Rie, Furth, & Koning, 2005;González, Padierna, Martín, Aguirre, & Quintana, 2012;Haigh & Treasure, 2003;Padierna et al, 2013;Perkins, Winn, Murray, Murphy, & Schmidt, 2004).…”

Couple-Based Interventions for Adults With Eating Disorders

“…Partners often want to help but do not know what to do. These challenges can cause caregiver distress and burden (Fischer, Baucom, Kirby, & Bulik, 2015; Zabala, Macdonald, & Treasure, 2009), and may contribute to escalating conflict or issues in the relationship.…”

Interventions to Empower Adults with Eating Disorders and Their Partners around the Transition to Parenthood

“…Accordingly, many partners report considerable distress. In fact, caregiver burden is higher in eating disorders than in other serious psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia and depression (Fischer, Baucom, Kirby, & Bulik, 2015; Graap et al, 2008; Treasure et al, 2001; Zabala, Macdonald, & Treasure, 2009).…”