Family accommodation in pediatric body dysmorphic disorder: A qualitative study

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology
• Family Studies

Background:

• Family accommodation (FA) is a recognized phenomenon in various mental health disorders.
• FA in body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) has not been previously investigated.
• Understanding FA is crucial for comprehensive BDD treatment and family support.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the types of family accommodation in body dysmorphic disorder.
• To understand the impact and purpose of family accommodation for individuals with BDD.
• To examine the experiences of young people with BDD, their parents, and clinicians regarding FA.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study employing semi-structured interviews.
• Participants included five young people diagnosed with BDD, five parents, and five clinicians.
• Thematic analysis was used to interpret interview data.

Main Results:

• All participants reported significant FA in BDD, with types similar to those in other disorders.
• Common forms of FA included reassurance seeking/giving and engagement in rituals.
• FA was primarily driven by a desire to reduce the young person's distress and risk, despite negative impacts like financial burden and relationship strain.

Conclusions:

• Family accommodation is a prevalent and impactful aspect of body dysmorphic disorder.
• While FA aims to alleviate distress, it carries significant negative consequences for families.
• Further research is needed to develop strategies for managing FA in BDD.