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BMC Psychiatry

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Open Access 01-12-2021 | Eating Disorder | Research

The experiences and strategies of parents’ of adults with anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa: a qualitative study

Authors: Jannike Karlstad, Cathrine Fredriksen Moe, Mari Wattum, Berit Støre Brinchmann

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

Caring for an individual with an eating disorder involves guilt, distress and many extra burdens and unmet needs. This qualitative study explored the experiences of parents with adult daughters suffering from anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa and the strategies they adopted. A subsidiary aim of the study was to explore the relationship between the caregivers’ perceived need for professional support and the support they reported receiving in practice from the health services.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 mothers and fathers from across Norway. Data collection, coding and analysis was conducted using the principles of constructivist grounded theory in an iterative process. The main concern shared by participants was identified by this process and their “solution” to the main concern then formed the content of the core category.

Results

″Wearing all the hats″ emerged as the core category, indicating that the parents have to fulfil several roles to compensate the lack of help from health services. The three subcategories: “adapting to the illness”, “struggling for understanding and help” and “continuing to stay strong” described how the participants handled their situation as parents of adult daughters with eating disorders.

Conclusions

In daily life, the parents of adults with eating disorders have to attend to a wide range of caregiver tasks to help their ill daughters. This study suggests that the health services that treat adults with eating disorders should be coordinated, with a professional carer in charge. The parents need easy access to information about the illness and its treatment. They also need professional support for themselves in a demanding situation.

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Title: The experiences and strategies of parents’ of adults with anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa: a qualitative study
Authors: Jannike Karlstad
Cathrine Fredriksen Moe
Mari Wattum
Berit Støre Brinchmann
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Eating Disorder
Anorexia Nervosa
Bulimia
Eating Disorder
Published in: BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-021-03345-5

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

The experiences and strategies of parents’ of adults with anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa: a qualitative study

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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