|
|
|
Attachment Security and Perceived Expressed Emotion in Adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa
Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the attachment security
and perceived expressed emotion of female adolescents diagnosed with
anorexia nervosa and those without any psychiatric disorder and to
compare the expressed emotion of their parents. We also aimed to
investigate the relationships between these variables and the effects of
depression and anxiety symptoms of the adolescents on attachment
security, perceived expressed emotion and expressed emotion of the
parents.
Method: The study enrolled 43 female adolescents aged 12-18 years
diagnosed with anorexia nervosa and an age and economic statusmatched
control group of 37 healthy female adolescents. Both groups completed
the Eating Attitudes Test-40 (EAT-40), the Perceived Expressed
Emotion Scale (PEES), the Short Form of Inventory of Parentand Peer
Attachment (IPPA), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the
Screenfor Child Anxietyand Related Disorders (SCARED). Parents
were assessed with the Expressed Emotion Scale (EES).
Results: As compared to the control group, the female adolescents with
anorexia nervosa had lower attachment security and higher perception
of parental expression of criticism and hostility. Presence of depression
and anxiety symptoms did not affect these results. The security of
maternal attachment in the adolescents with anorexia nervosa predicted
their perception of criticism and hostility in their mothers.
Conclusion:The results of this study indicate the importance of assessing
attachment security and perceived expressed emotion in adolescents
with anorexia nervosa and the requirement of parental inclusion in the
therapeutic process during follow up for implementation of appropriate
interventions.
Key Words: Anorexia nervosa, adolescent, attachment, expressed emotion
|
|
|
