PURPOSE: Differences in mental health among primary caregivers of eating disorder patients with purging and non-purging behaviors were explored and predictors of psychopathological distress among caregivers were also determined. METHODS: 177 caregivers, ranging from 29 to 75 years of age, of adults and adolescents with an ED participated in the study. The caregivers completed self-report assessments related to psychopathological distress (GSI), specific experience of caregiving and expressed emotion. Results A statistically significant difference in psychopathological distress was presented by caregivers of patients with purging behaviors (38.9%) compared with non-purging ones (25%), using a GSI cut-off point. In patients who purged, caregiver’s intrusiveness and difficulties related to eating behavior accounted for 25% of the variance and in those who did not purge, difficulties related to eating behavior, guilt, social isolation, hostility and negative attitude toward illness accounted for 44% of variance. CONCLUSIONS: The differences observed indicate the importance of identifying purging as a significant clinical marker of increased risk of psychopathological distress in caregivers.
PURPOSE: Differences in mental health among primary caregivers of eating disorderpatients with purging and non-purging behaviors were explored and predictors of psychopathological distress among caregivers were also determined. METHODS: 177 caregivers, ranging from 29 to 75 years of age, of adults and adolescents with an ED participated in the study. The caregivers completed self-report assessments related to psychopathological distress (GSI), specific experience of caregiving and expressed emotion. Results A statistically significant difference in psychopathological distress was presented by caregivers of patients with purging behaviors (38.9%) compared with non-purging ones (25%), using a GSI cut-off point. In patients who purged, caregiver’s intrusiveness and difficulties related to eating behavior accounted for 25% of the variance and in those who did not purge, difficulties related to eating behavior, guilt, social isolation, hostility and negative attitude toward illness accounted for 44% of variance. CONCLUSIONS: The differences observed indicate the importance of identifying purging as a significant clinical marker of increased risk of psychopathological distress in caregivers.
Authors: Josune Martín; Angel Padierna; Urko Aguirre; José M Quintana; Carlota Las Hayas; Pedro Muñoz Journal: Qual Life Res Date: 2011-03-04 Impact factor: 4.147