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A comparison of characteristics in the families of patients with anorexia nervosa and normal controls

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

Paul E. Garfinkel ,
David M. Garner ,
Julia Rose ,
Padraig L. Darby ,
J. S. Brandes ,
Jacinta O'Hanlon  and
Noel Walsh
Paul E. Garfinkel*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Canada
David M. Garner
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Canada
Julia Rose
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Canada
Padraig L. Darby
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Canada
J. S. Brandes
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Canada
Jacinta O'Hanlon
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Canada
Noel Walsh
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Canada
*
11Address for correspondence: Dr Paul E. Garfinkel, Toronto General Hospital, 200 Elizabeth Street, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1L7, Canada.
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Synopsis

The present study compared families of patients with anorexia nervosa with families of non-anorexic adolescent daughters of a similar social class. All anorexics and adolescent comparison girls and their parents were studied using a variety of psychometric measures. Body size estimation and physical anhedonia were also measured. Family characteristics were assessed using the Family Assessment Measure (FAM). Contrary to the hypotheses, no abnormalities were found in terms of parental attitudes to weight control or dieting. The mothers of anorexics displayed no increase in psychopathology on any of the measures. The fathers scored very similarly to controls but with higher degrees of conscientiousness. Neither fathers nor mothers displayed abnormalities of their own body size estimates or body satisfaction. On the FAM the anorexic families reported an increased pathology on several sub-scales. It is not possible to say whether these disturbances are part of the pathogenesis or are sequelae to the illness.

Type
Research Article
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 13 , Issue 4 , November 1983 , pp. 821 - 828
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1983

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