The Features of Family Relations of Adolescent Girls at Risk of Eating Disorders

Abstract

The family risk factors of eating disorders (ED) of adolescent girls were studied. 376 girls aged 13 to 17 years from Ryazan city schools filled in Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26), CRPBI (E. Schaefer, Russian adaptation), Risk Factors of ED (T.A. Meshkova, research questionnaire). Comparison of the groups with upper and lower quartiles of EAT-26 scores demonstrates, that the families of the girls being at risk of ED are characterized by the authoritarian mother, who disregards of daughter's problems, and by the neutral position of the father.Parents more often were concerned about daughters’ figure, have a preoccupation with dieting. The girls of risk group have a fear of condemnation from family members, blaming for missteps. They have lack of praise for achievements, frequent bans and physical punishment, sense of dependency on family. It is possible, that daughter's eating disturbances reflect the some kind of protest and present a defensive reaction to the current family situation.