The relationship between parental bonding, social problem solving and eating pathology in an anorexic inpatient sample.
OBJECTIVE
Parental relationships and maladaptive problem solving have been associated with anorexic symptomatology. This study investigates the relationship between perceived parental bonding, social problem solving and eating psychopathology.


METHODS
Forty three female inpatients with anorexia nervosa and 76 student controls were assessed using the Parental Bonding Instrument, the Social Problem Solving Inventory and the Eating Disorders Examination or the Eating Disorders Examination-Questionnaire.


RESULTS
The anorexic group reported significantly lower levels of parental care than the student control group and used more negative and avoidance style coping. In the anorexic group, disordered eating was significantly correlated with low maternal care and high control. Maternal bonding was found to mediate the relationship between avoidance style coping and eating pathology.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings suggest a relationship between maternal bonding, the use of maladaptive problem solving techniques and eating disorder pathology in inpatients with anorexia nervosa.
Swanson
Helen
H
NHS Tayside Psychological Therapies Service, 7 Dudhope Terrace, Dundee, DD3 6HG, Tayside, Scotland, UK. helen.swanson@nhs.net
Power
Kevin
K
Collin
Paula
P
Deas
Suzanne
S
Paterson
Gillian
G
Grierson
David
D
Yellowlees
Alex
A
Park
Katy
K
Taylor
Louise
L
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D001828:Body Image; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D009769:Object Attachment; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011340:Problem Solving; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012919:Social Behavior; D012938:Social Perception; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires