Siblings and eating disorders: a phenomenological perspective.

The purpose of this study was to develop an increased awareness of the sibling experience in families where one child has an eating disorder. Using a phenomenological approach, five female adolescents whose sisters had been diagnosed with anorexia nervosa each participated in two open-ended, unstructured interviews, which were coded and analysed using methods consistent with phenomenological research. Two overarching constructs evolved, which subsumed five major themes. All siblings (1) described intense and conflicted emotions, and (2) experienced their sisters' illness as a pervasive phenomenon in their lives. In this context, perspective of the illness, disruption of intra- and extrafamilial relationships, role strain, special status awarded the anorectic sister, and coping with the illness were significant themes which emerged for participants. Findings support the need for nurses to be involved in family-focused health care practice, and to be cognizant of the impact on siblings in families where one member's illness is a factor.