Parental Emotional Availability and Family Functioning in Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa Subtypes

Michela Criscuolo (), Chiara Marchetto, Alessandra Buzzonetti, Maria Chiara Castiglioni, Lucia Cereser, Pierandrea Salvo and Valeria Zanna
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Michela Criscuolo: Anorexia Nervosa and Eating Disorder Unit, Child Neuropsychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Bambino Gesù Childrens’ Hospital IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy
Chiara Marchetto: Anorexia Nervosa and Eating Disorder Unit, Child Neuropsychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Bambino Gesù Childrens’ Hospital IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy
Alessandra Buzzonetti: Center for Pediatric Palliative Care, Bambino Gesù Childrens’ Hospital IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy
Maria Chiara Castiglioni: Anorexia Nervosa and Eating Disorder Unit, Child Neuropsychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Bambino Gesù Childrens’ Hospital IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy
Lucia Cereser: Center for Eating Disorders and Weight, 30026 Portogruaro, Italy
Pierandrea Salvo: Center for Eating Disorders and Weight, 30026 Portogruaro, Italy
Valeria Zanna: Anorexia Nervosa and Eating Disorder Unit, Child Neuropsychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Bambino Gesù Childrens’ Hospital IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 20, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Emotional availability (EA) is a complex construct describing the emotional bond between parents and child, and it refers to support, sensitivity, warmth and closeness. Few studies have investigated the perception of parental EA and its association with dysfunctional eating pattern. The aim of the study is to explore the perception of mothers’ and fathers’ EA of adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN) and any differences between the two subtypes of binge–purge (B/P) or restrictive (R) AN. Furthermore, it investigates the association of parental EA with AN symptomatology and with patients’ perception of family functioning, which is identified as a maintenance factor for AN. A total of 60 adolescents between 12 and 18 years and their parents ( n = 120) were recruited in two eating disorder (ED) specialized care centers. Patients completed the LEAP and the FACES IV questionnaires evaluating parental EA and family functioning, respectively. Results showed no difference between AN subtypes, but a greater perception of mother when compared to father EA was found. Moreover, the EA construct was found not to be associated with ED symptomatology but with a greater positive family functioning. Our study is the first that explores EA in AN, and results suggest the importance of considering parents’ emotional engagement as part of the treatment core, together with the eating symptomatology management.

Keywords: parent–child relationships; emotional availability; adolescence; family relationships; anorexia nervosa; eating disorders; restrictive anorexia nervosa; binge–purge anorexia nervosa (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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