title: Developing interpersonal relationships with adolescents with anorexia nervosa.
abstract: Anorexia nervosa is a complex eating disorder that usually develops during adolescence. This paper reports how paediatric nurses develop professional interpersonal relationships with adolescent patients with anorexia nervosa. The study used a grounded theory approach to data collection and analysis. Data were collected using in-depth interviews from ten registered nurses who worked on a paediatric ward. The findings revealed two foci of care: 'interacting with nurses', and 'interacting with patients', with interrelated categories and strategies. A core category highlighted the importance of instigating an individual focus when developing professional interpersonal relationships with patients with anorexia. Contextual factors emphasise the broader influences that modified the way nurses developed relationships with these patients. The findings have implications for clinical practice, education, unit administration, and further research, and these are examined. Nurses who use this approach are better positioned to gain understanding of individuals experiencing the disorder and to develop professional interpersonal relationships.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Institute of Health and Diversity, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Micevski
authors.forename: Terence V
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: McCann
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003219:Confidentiality; D004645:Empathy; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012650:Self Disclosure; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D035502:Trust; D016526:Workload