Social support in patients with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa

To investigate the social support networks of patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN).

Social support was measured using the Significant Others Scale for 44 patients with AN, 81 patients with BN, and 86 polytechnic students.

Eating disorder patients had smaller social networks than the students. AN patients were significantly less likely than BN patients to have a spouse or partner as a support figure. Both AN and BN patients reported less actual emotional and practical support than students. AN patients perceived their social support to be adequate, whereas BN patients were dissatisfied with their support. Patients set lower ideals for support than the students. Social support was not correlated with duration of illness.

AN and BN patients have deficient social networks. In BN patients there is disturbance in both the size and perceived adequacy of social relationships.