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The relationship between parental bonding, social problem solving and eating pathology in an anorexic inpatient
Helen Swanson1, Kevin Power, Paula Collin
1NHS Tayside Psychological Therapies Service, 7 Dudhope Terrace, Dundee, DD3 6HG, Tayside, Scotland, UK. helen.swanson@nhs.net
Objective:
Parental relationships and maladaptive problem solving have been associated with anorexic symptomatology. This study investigates the relationship between perceived parental bonding, social problem solving and eating psychopathology.
Methods:
Forty three female inpatients with anorexia nervosa and 76 student controls were assessed using the Parental Bonding Instrument, the Social Problem Solving Inventory and the Eating Disorders Examination or the Eating Disorders Examination-Questionnaire.
Results:
The anorexic group reported significantly lower levels of parental care than the student control group and used more negative and avoidance style coping. In the anorexic group, disordered eating was significantly correlated with low maternal care and high control. Maternal bonding was found to mediate the relationship between avoidance style coping and eating pathology.
Conclusions:
Findings suggest a relationship between maternal bonding, the use of maladaptive problem solving techniques and eating disorder pathology in inpatients with anorexia nervosa.
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