Investigating self‐blame and trauma symptoms in parents of young people with anorexia nervosa

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundCaring for a young person with anorexia nervosa (AN) has been associated with psychological distress and found to be a traumatic experience. This can have an impact on patient and family outcomes.ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate whether self‐blame cognitions contribute to post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in parents of young people with AN.MethodsA cross‐sectional design was used. One hundred and twenty‐three parents of young people with AN completed a range of questionnaires assessing self‐blame cognitions and PTSD symptoms.ResultsOverall, levels of self‐blame cognitions were significantly higher in those experiencing higher levels of PTSD symptoms compared to low levels. Additionally, levels of self‐blame cognitions significantly predicted PTSD symptoms over and above demographic factors and illness severity, accounting for 22% of unique variance in PTSD symptoms.ConclusionsThe findings suggest that negative appraisals regarding self‐blame for their child's eating disorder contributed to the potential maintenance of PTSD symptoms. Parents presenting with thoughts of self‐blame would benefit from further support to reduce these feelings and, subsequently, reduce carer distress.