Family systems -Psychological explanation for Anorexia

• What is the family systems explanation of anorexia about?

  Minuchi found characteristsics in anoretic families which has led to a lack of autonomy and control for children

  Led to retaliation and exercise control over their eating
• What characteristics did minuchi suggest led to anorexia?

  1. enmeshment
  2. overprotection
  3. Rigidity
  4. conflict avoidance
• What is enmeshment ?

  overally intimate relationships in terms of emotional boundaries

  Difficulty functioning seperating
• what is overprotection in terms of Minuchi characteristics of family systems?

  over sacrifice own time to check on their child
• What is rigidity in terms of Minuchi characteristcis of family systems ?

  inflexibility between parent and child

  a denial of the need to change
• What is conflict avoidance in terms of Minuchi characteristics of family systems?

  suppress conflict

  ignore problem

  eating behaviour going undetected
• What is research which supports family systems explanation to Anorexia?

  Goldstein

  longitudinal study using diagnositic criteria when 1st arrived and 5 years after

  Found- parents with anorexic children were overally involved
• What is a weakness of the family systems explanation to anorexia?

  • the research support using self-report data
  • ethical implications (blames parent for child)
  • Not supported by all research - Aragona
• What did Aragona find?

  their was no difference between anorexic families and non anorexic families in terms of rigidity
• Strength and weakness of family systems of anorexia

  +ve = Goldstein's research

  -ve= data was self reported

  alternative research

  Ethical implication- puts blame on the parents