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Eating disorders in adolescence: attachment issues from a developmental perspective
Manuela Gander1, Kathrin Sevecke2, Anna Buchheim1
1Institute of Psychology, University of Innsbruck , Innsbruck, Austria.
Frontiers in Psychology
|September 1, 2015
Summary
Adolescents with eating disorders often exhibit unresolved attachment patterns, a finding also observed in their mothers, suggesting potential transgenerational influences on these conditions.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Attachment issues are increasingly recognized in adolescents with eating disorders.
- A developmental perspective is crucial for understanding these complex conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review research on attachment in adolescents with eating disorders from a developmental viewpoint.
- To explore the relationship between attachment patterns and the onset of eating disorders.
- To analyze attachment studies in this demographic using various instruments.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of research articles from major databases (PsychINFO, Sciencedirect, Psychindex, Pubmed) from 1966-2013.
- Analysis of self-report and narrative attachment instruments in adolescents.
- Detailed examination of studies employing a developmental approach.
Main Results:
- A high incidence of unresolved attachment patterns was found in adolescents with eating disorders, particularly anorexia nervosa.
- This unresolved attachment pattern was also prevalent in the mothers of these patients.
- Transgenerational transmission of attachment issues is suggested but requires further investigation.
Conclusions:
- Unresolved attachment is a significant correlate of eating disorders in adolescents.
- Maternal attachment patterns may play a role in the development of eating disorders in their offspring.
- Further research with larger samples and detailed clinical information is needed to elucidate these transgenerational aspects.
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