The influence of siblings on the experience of anorexia nervosa for adolescent girls

Anne Honey, Simon Clarke, Christine Halse, Michael Kohn, Sloane Madden

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticle

    30 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    This qualitative study explored the perspectives of adolescent girls diagnosed with anorexia nervosa and parents about the influence of siblings on sufferers' experiences of anorexia. In-depth interviews were conducted with 24 girls and 24 parents and analysed using constant comparative methods. Findings indicated that siblings can have both a positive and negative influence on girls through their presence in the family, responses to the illness, and impact on parents. A number of contributing factors affected the influence of siblings including: the sibling's understanding of anorexia; lifestyles; pre-anorexia relationships; whether parents and girls encouraged or discouraged a sibling's involvement with the anorexia; sibling and family characteristics; and professional interventions. The findings are presented as a conceptual framework that illustrates the relationships between these different dimensions. The findings underline the significance of sibling influence and the clinical value of further research into relationships between siblings and other family members in cases of anorexia nervosa.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)315-322
    Number of pages8
    JournalEuropean Eating Disorders Review
    Volume14
    Issue number5
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Sept 2006

    Keywords

    • anorexia nervosa
    • brothers and sisters
    • family relationships
    • patients

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