Anorexia nervosa families--a homogeneous group? A case record study

Nineteen consecutive case records of inpatients at a child psychiatric department with the diagnosis anorexia nervosa (AN) (DSM-III-R) were investigated to describe the family interaction pattern. To evaluate the families, the information from the case records was supplemented by interviews of the therapists and finally the result was discussed with the supervisors until agreement. The evaluation instrument used was Beavers' Scales for Family Style and Function. Level of aggression, dominance pattern among parents, socioeconomic stratification and psychiatric diagnosis among parents were also evaluated. The study shows 3 groups of AN families, centripetal (53%), centrifugal (24%) and mixed (24%), supporting a hypothesis that AN families are a heterogeneous group. Evaluated family functioning was highest in the mixed group, followed by the centripetal group. The poorest family functioning and severest psychopathology among the parents was found in the centrifugal group.