Family Dynamics And Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are quite common, especially among young women. Studies tend to focus only on individuals suffering from these conditions, however, some studies also take into account the family of these individuals. The purpose of this article is to introduce the emotional atmosphere (Expressed Emotion, EE) of a family of people with eating disorders. We also intend to present the impact of family dynamics on the development of this eating disorder.

Eating disorders are disorders or changes in food-related behavior and thus also affect food intake. These disorders last for a long time and include a deterioration in a person’s physical health. In addition to this, there is a deterioration in a person’s psychological and social dynamics as well as family dynamics. 

These disorders have been extensively studied due to their prevalence among women. More specifically, due to their prevalence among adolescents. It is estimated that 4% of teenagers and young women suffer from eating disorders in Western countries, but little research has been done on the family dynamics of people with eating disorders.

This is a pressing challenge that cannot be avoided, given the huge number of teenagers who are vulnerable to the development of an eating disorder. It is a social problem that can be directly linked to family dynamics, namely, it has numerous consequences for a person’s overall well-being. It is also really relevant, as family members have a great influence during the development of this disorder.

Which leads to eating disorders

Numerous studies seek to find the triggers for eating disorders, and also their penetrating factors. Models such as the multifactorial models of Vohs, Bardone, Joiner, Abramson, and Heatherton (1999) showed a role of perfectionism in the development of anorexia nervosa symptoms.

According to even more recent studies, such as a study conducted by the National Autonomous University of Mexico in 2010, this perfectionism is defined as an extreme concern to be wrong or make mistakes. It is also defined as hesitation.

They emphasize things like dissatisfaction with the body and negative self-esteem along with starting a strict diet and weight gain. There are also other risk factors, such as intra-family conflicts and critical issues, that have to do with weight and body shapes as an eating disorder develops.

Regarding the intrusive factors of this condition, the most common are dietary restrictions, defecation behavior, and a degraded social environment. The latter is where the attitudes of the immediate family members affect the person.

Family dynamics and eating disorders: what is part of the family’s emotional atmosphere

Family emotional atmosphere (EE) is an emotional communication style within the family and is also one of the invading factors of eating disorders. EE is a model that began to take shape in the 1950s at the London Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience. In the first study, the researchers found that relapses in people with schizophrenia occurred most often in those who returned to their old family dynamics.

As a result, researchers began conducting studies to explain the elements of the family nucleus. They believed they had to do with relapses in patients who returned home. In fact, Brown, Birley, and Wing found three characteristics that had an absolute relationship to the penetrability of the development of these spaces:

• Hostility
• Emotional over-involvement
• Criticism

Some other scholars, such as Muela and Godoy, also included warm and positive remarks. In relatives of people with eating disorders, the EE model showed similar characteristics that were also found in previous studies of schizophrenia.

Parts of the family’s emotional atmosphere

• Criticism. Negative evaluations of family members regarding the behavior of a person with an eating disorder. (Not just the criticism itself, but also the way things are expressed.)
• Hostility. Fighting a family member. It is not just a critique of something that a person with an eating disorder did, but a general attack on him or her as an individual.

• Emotional over-involvement. Intense emotional reactions of family members in an effort to control the behavior of a person with an eating disorder. Depending on the situation, the emotional reaction may vary, and may be e.g. constant sobbing and crying due to a person with an eating disorder. On the other hand, this state may require self-sacrifice. Overprotection is also possible.
• Heat. Adequate emotional reactions from family members who are characterized by empathy, intimacy, and interest in the other.
• Positive comments. Loving verbal comments to a person with an eating disorder.

All of these components appear to play an essential role in the development of the condition of a person with an eating disorder. For example, if there are a lot of critical comments, hostility, and emotional over-involvement in the family, the family context of the affected person becomes compelling. It becomes much more cautious and less flexible.

Long-term studies in the field have shown that there are differences in eating disorders; there are those who have lasted less time as well as those who have become chronic. Researchers have found that only 6% of family members of rapidly recovering people showed a high emotional atmosphere in the family.

Numerous researchers have also studied the relationship between the development of EE in family members and eating disorders. The results of the study showed that 55-60% of relatives of patients with eating disorders had a high family emotional atmosphere.

The role of family dynamics in the development of eating disorders

Given what we have mentioned earlier in the article, it is essential to include psycho-education as part of treatment. If necessary, the family of the eating disorder should also be included in psychological treatment.

A good emotional arrangement in the family, where all members can control their own emotions and where they have the right channel to express emotions at the right time, is vital for a person with an eating disorder.

Involving family members is essential. Especially since most people with eating disorders are young. No one assumes that family members know what to do and how to manage such situations. Therefore, the family should be part of the whole care. After all, the family will eventually be a big part of the improvement.

Therefore, it is important not to blame family members. One must learn not to stigmatize a person because of his or her eating disorder. There is also a need to learn to reinforce alternative behaviors and improvements in a person with an eating disorder. Or you just have to take a deep breath and stay calm in this situation that can last a long time.