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A Computer-Based Platform for Aiding Clinicians in Eating Disorder Analysis and Diagnosis
Published on: May 10, 2022
Eating disorder symptoms and parenting styles
Emma Haycraft1, Jackie Blissett
1Loughborough University Centre for Research into Eating Disorders, School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Leicestershire LE113TU, UK. E.Haycraft@lboro.ac.uk
Appetite
|November 26, 2009
Summary
Eating disorder symptoms in mothers are linked to authoritarian and permissive parenting styles, not authoritative ones. This suggests less adaptive parenting may influence eating disorder development in non-clinical populations.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Eating disorders represent a significant mental health concern.
- Parenting styles are hypothesized to influence child and adult psychological development.
- Understanding the interplay between parenting and eating disorders is crucial for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between eating disorder symptoms and various parenting styles in a non-clinical sample of mothers.
- To identify specific parenting dimensions associated with higher levels of eating disorder pathology.
Main Methods:
- A sample of 105 mothers completed self-report questionnaires.
- Measures assessed symptoms of eating disorders and parenting styles.
- Correlational analyses examined the associations between variables.
Main Results:
- A significant positive association was found between eating disorder symptoms and authoritarian parenting.
- Eating disorder symptoms were also positively correlated with permissive parenting styles.
- No significant relationship was observed between eating disorder symptoms and authoritative parenting.
Conclusions:
- Less adaptive parenting styles, specifically authoritarian and permissive approaches, are associated with increased eating disorder symptoms in non-clinical mothers.
- Authoritative parenting appears to be a protective factor.
- Findings suggest potential targets for intervention in families with mothers experiencing eating disorder symptoms.
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