Family functioning and communication
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The association between parental control, family problem-solving communication styles, and eating disorder symptomology: A mediation analysis
IRAS ID
269589
Contact name
Marie-Claire Reville
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Edinburgh
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 19 days
Research summary
When adolescents develop anorexia nervosa (AN) their families are usually their main support during their recovery. People with AN and their families, who have experienced family-based therapy find that parental boundaries are helpful for taking control of the AN and supporting their adolescent’s recovery. This study aims to explore factors which allow for parental boundaries to be implemented helpfully, by measuring parent communication style in relation to problem-solving, adolescent perception of parental boundaries, expressed emotion, and AN symptoms.
This study aims to invite adolescents with AN from NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health services across Scottish boards, with a different psychiatric condition and without a mental or physical health condition to complete seven questionnaires measuring the features described and demographic information. The data collected will then be assessed using a mediation analysis to explore the relationships between measures and whether parental communication style in relation to problem solving mediates the relationship between parental boundaries and AN symptoms. This will be compared across the three groups to explore whether the pattern observed is specific to AN or common amongst adolescents in general or adolescents with a different psychiatric disorder.
REC name
South East Scotland REC 01
REC reference
20/SS/0005
Date of REC Opinion
13 Feb 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion