Developing a parenting skills-and-support intervention for mothers with eating disorders and pre-school children part 1: Qualitative investigation of issues to include.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to (i) identify themes and issues that might usefully be addressed in a skills-and-support intervention for mothers with eating disorders who have children less than 5 years of age, and (ii) determine the most appropriate format for such an intervention.


METHODS
Focus groups and individual interviews were conducted with seven mothers with eating disorders and pre-school children, and four local health professionals working with mothers of pre-school children.


RESULTS
Thematic analysis of interview transcripts revealed 10 themes: 'Passing on Traits', 'Food Preparation and Provision', 'Interactions Around Food and Mealtimes', 'Mother's Intake', 'Self Care', 'Self Identity and Parental Expectations', 'Impact on General Parent-Child Relationship', 'Need for Control', 'The Group Experience' and 'Practicalities and Format'.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings highlight a number of difficulties and concerns experienced by mothers with eating disorders who have pre-school age children. An intervention incorporating the identified themes could provide important support to this patient group and potential benefit to their offspring.
Bryant-Waugh
Rachel
R
Hampshire Partnership NHS Trust Eating Disorder Service, Eastleigh Community Enterprise Centre, Eastleigh, Hampshire, UK. rachel.bryant-waugh@ntlworld.com
Turner
Hannah
H
East
Philippa
P
Gamble
Caroline
C
D000328:Adult; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents / Q000523:psychology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003296:Cooking; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology*; D012648:Self Care; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D006113:United Kingdom