Family factors in the development of disordered eating: integrating dynamic and behavioral explanations

Previous studies exploring the dynamic (e.g., enmeshment, disengagement, rigidity, communication difficulties, overprotectiveness) and behavioral (e.g., parental modeling of eating behavior and attitudes toward weight, parental criticism and teasing, parental encouragement to diet) influences of the family on disordered eating behaviors have yielded mixed results. However, past research explored these different aspects of the family environment in isolation. The present study extended previous research by testing a prediction model in which the effects of family dynamics on the development of eating disorders operate through family food-related experiences. A total of 268 single college women completed the Eating Attitudes Test - Revised, Bulimia Test - Revised, Parental Bonding Instrument - II, Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scales - II, Parent Adolescent Communication Scale - Adolescent Form, Family Influence Scale, and Family Experiences Related to Food Questionnaire. Structural Equation Modeling revealed that both family dysfunction and negative family food-related experiences were associated with increased disordered eating. Results indicated that negative family food-related experiences mediated the relationship between family dysfunction and disordered eating. Discussion focuses on implications for the assessment and treatment of eating disorders.