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Single and married patients with eating disorders
N Kiriike1, T Nagata, H Matsunaga
1Department of Neuropsychiatry, Osaka City University Medical School, Osaka, Japan.
Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences
|January 23, 1999
Summary
Marital problems significantly contribute to the development of eating disorders in married women. For married women with eating disorders, marital discord is a more common trigger than dieting.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Sociology
Background:
- Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions.
- The influence of marital status on eating disorder onset and triggers is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between marriage and eating disorders in women.
- To identify triggers for eating disorders in married versus unmarried women.
Main Methods:
- Comparative study of 40 married and 22 unmarried female patients with eating disorders.
- Analysis of onset timing (premarital vs. postmarital) and triggering factors.
Main Results:
- Postmarital onset eating disorders were significantly associated with marital problems (69%).
- Premarital onset and unmarried patients were more often triggered by dieting (57% and 55%).
- Clinical features did not significantly differ across groups, though some premarital cases worsened post-marriage.
Conclusions:
- Marital discord is a critical factor in the development and maintenance of eating disorders among married women.
- Understanding marital context is crucial for treating eating disorders in this population.