The dysfunctional relationship between the mother and the daughter in the pathogenesis of anorexia nervosa

Abstract

Anorexia Nervosa is a severe psychiatric disorder consisting of the maintenance of extremely low weight, restrictive eating habits, purging techniques, an immense fear of gaining weight, and a distorted body image. The feelings of dissatisfaction with bodily image is usually distorted from the ideal image and has a negative connotation. Women with Anorexia Nervosa not only have a distorted self-image but also may suffer from identity crisis/confusion as they live the dilemma of growing old versus staying young, and dependency versus independency as the process of identity formation majorly relies on disruption by radical changes in social roles and cultural expectations. The objective is to understand how a dysfunctional relationship with the primary caregiver, the mother, may lead a young female to developing Anorexia Nervosa, and the early contributing learning elements behind the dysfunctional primary relationship. Sixty randomly selected females from the "Notre Dame University" were asked to complete the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT- 26) to identify those with risk of Anorexia Nervosa. The EAT-26 test was followed by a questionnaire that looked at the relationship with the mother. The results of the study show that females who are at high risk of Anorexia Nervosa are more likely to have a dysfunctional relationship with their mothers.