Parental Uncertainty and Family Functioning in Anorexia Nervosa
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The impact of Parental Uncertainty on Family Functioning in Anorexia Nervosa
IRAS ID
123461
Contact name
Ivan Eisler
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Research summary
Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is a life-threatening condition which can potentially affect the psychological well-being both of the patient and the family members in terms of psychiatric comorbidity, emotional burden and stress. Some authots have highlighted the impact of Eating Disorders on the family structure and family relationships, as families with a member suffering with AN have to face a deep reorganization around the illness and its fearfulness seems to impair the capacity to evolve trough a process of adaptation.
The present study seeks to examine the impact of Parental Uncertainty on Family Functioning in parents, siblings and patients diagnosed with AN, using a quantitative methodology. Adolescents with a first episode of anorexia nervosa and their parents undergoing family therapy at the Child and adolescent eating disorder service (CAEDS) at the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust will be approached and informed of the present study. If they decide to participate they will be asked to fill some questionnaires about family adaptation after the diagnosis of ED, which will last one hour. Families will receive a letter of appreciation of their contributions in which the results of the tests will be summarised in general terms.
A couple of families will be also interviewed to assess their perception of the adaptation of the PPUS for Eating Disorders as this scale has been widely used for international surveys about paediatric chronic illness, while mental health conditions have not been considered so far.REC name
London - Bromley Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/LO/0513
Date of REC Opinion
21 May 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion