title: Observed connection and individuation: relation to symptoms in families of adolescents with bulimia nervosa.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the relation between observed familial connection and individuation and adolescent bulimia nervosa (BN) symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  As part of a treatment study for adolescent BN, adolescents (n = 54) and their parents participated in a videotaped semi-structured interview. Participants were rated on observed connection and individuation from these interviews using the Scale of Intergenerational Relationship Quality and two measures of connection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant negative relation between individuation from parents and adolescent BN symptoms. Connection both to and from mothers and adolescents was negatively associated with BN symptoms. Increased eating concern was significantly associated with a greater likelihood of expressing a desire for more connection with the family.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Investigating and understanding family factors present at the time of adolescent BN may assist in providing treatment specific to the needs of the family to best aid the adolescent's recovery process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA. thomas82@umd.edu
authors.forename: Sarah A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Renee Rienecke
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Hoste
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Le Grange
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D052018:Bulimia Nervosa / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007207:Individuation; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D055815:Young Adult