Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Experiences, Burdens, and Support Needs in Siblings of Girls and Women with Anorexia Nervosa: Results from a Qualitative Interview Study

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Clinical Social Work Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

For many years, siblings of women and girls suffering from anorexia have been regarded as “the forgotten kin,” as they have been overlooked by both researchers and clinicians. Therefore, the goal of this explorative study was to investigate siblings’ experiences, burdens, and support needs in a differentiated manner. Siblings (n = 16) of patients with an ICD-10 diagnosis “anorexia nervosa” (F 50.0) took part in a qualitative, in-depth interview study; the data were assessed using content analysis. The results of this study should be especially interesting for clinical social work. Using the findings, a variety of concrete recommendations for psycho-social practice can be made, for example regarding the inclusion of siblings in treatment settings, as well as specific support concepts for siblings of anorexic women and girls in different age groups.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Amaresha, A. C., Venkatasubramanian, G., & Muralidhar, D. (2014). Needs of siblings of persons with psychosis: A systematic descriptive review. Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience, 12(2), 124–127.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Areemit, R. S., Katzman, D. K., Pinhas, L., & Kaufman, M. E. (2010). The experience of siblings of adolescents with eating disorders. Journal of Adolescent Health, 46(6), 569–576.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Arnett, J. J. (2014). Emerging adulthood: The winding road from the late teens through the twenties (2nd ed.). New York: Oxford University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Bachner-Melman, R. (2005). Siblings in the context of anorexia nervosa. Israel Journal of Psychiatry and Related Sciences, 42(3), 178–184.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bamber, J. H., Toumbourou, J. W., & Marks, R. (2008). Including the siblings of youth substance abusers in a parent-focused intervention: A pilot test of the best plus program. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 40, 281–291.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bank, S. P., & Kahn, M. D. (2003). The sibling bond (Anniversary ed.). New York: Basic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barak, D., & Solomon, Z. (2005). In the shadow of schizophrenia: A study of siblings’ perceptions. Israel Journal of Psychiatry and Related Sciences, 42, 234–241.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bowman, S., Alvarez-Jimenez, M., Wade, D., McGorry, P., & Howie, L. (2014). Forgotten family members: The importance of siblings in early psychosis. Early Intervention in Psychiatry, 8, 269–275.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bryant-Waugh, R., & Lask, B. (2013). Overview of eating disorders in childhood and adolescence. In B. Lask & R. Bryant-Waugh (Eds.), Eating disorders in childhood and adolescence (4th ed., pp. 33–49). London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cicirelli, V. (1995). Sibling relationships across the life span. New York: Plenum Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Connors, C., & Stalker, K. (2003). The views and experiences of disabled children and their siblings: A positive outlook: Implications for practice and policy. London: Kingsley Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • de la Rie, S. M., van Furth, E. F., de Koning, A., Noordenbos, G., & Donker, M. C. (2005). The quality of life of family caregivers of eating disorder patients. Eating Disorders: The Journal of Treatment & Prevention, 13(4), 345–351.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dimitropoulos, G., Carter, I., Schachter, R., & Woodside, B. (2008). Predictors of family functioning in carers of individuals with anorexia nervosa. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 41, 739–747.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dimitropoulos, G., Freeman, V. E., Bellai, K., & Olmsted, M. (2013). Inpatients with severe anorexia nervosa and their siblings: Non-shared experiences and family functioning. European Eating Disorders Review, 21(4), 284–293.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dimitropoulos, G., Klopfer, K., Lazar, L., & Schacter, R. (2009). Caring for a sibling with anorexia nervosa: A qualitative study. European Eating Disorders Review, 17(5), 350–365.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fischer, M. S., Baucom, D. H., Kirby, J. S., & Bulik, C. M. (2015). Partner distress in the context of adult anorexia nervosa: The role of patients’ perceived negative consequences of AN and partner behaviors. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 48(1), 67–71.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Friedrich, R. M., Lively, S., & Rubenstein, L. M. (2008). Siblings’ coping strategies and mental health services: A national study of siblings of persons with schizophrenia. Psychiatric Services, ¼59, 261–267.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Graap, H., Bleich, S., Herbst, F., Trostmann, Y., Wancata, J., & de Zwaan, M. (2008). The needs of carers of patients with anorexia and bulimia nervosa. European Eating Disorders Review, 16, 21–29.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Halvorsen, I., Rø, Ø., & Heyerdahl, S. (2013). Nine-year follow-up of girls with anorexia nervosa and their siblings: Retrospective perceptions of parental bonding and the influence of illness on their everyday life. European Eating Disorders Review, 21, 20–27.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hatfield, A. B., & Lefley, H. P. (2005). Future involvement of siblings in the lives of persons with mental illness. Community Mental Health Journal, 41, 327–338.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Highet, N., Thompson, M., & King, R. M. (2005). The experience of living with a person with an eating disorder: The impact on the carers. Eating Disorders: The Journal of Treatment & Prevention, 13(4), 327–344.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hillege, S., Beale, B., & McMaster, R. (2006). Impact of eating disorders on family life: Individual parents’ stories. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 15(8), 1016–1022.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hoek, H. W. (2006). Incidence, prevalence and mortality of anorexia nervosa and other eating disorders. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 19(4), 389–394.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Honey, A., Clarke, S., Halse, C., Kohn, M., & Madden, S. (2006). The influence of siblings on the experience of anorexia nervosa for adolescent girls. European Eating Disorders Review, 14(5), 315–322.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huke, K., & Slade, P. (2006). An exploratory investigation of the experiences of partners living with people who have bulimia nervosa. European Eating Disorders Review, 14, 436–447.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kirby, J. S., Runfola, C. D., Fischer, M. S., Baucom, D. H., & Bulik, C. M. (2015). Couple-based interventions for adults with eating disorders. Eating Disorders: The Journal of Treatment & Prevention, 23(4), 356–365.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kyriacou, O., Treasure, J., & Schmidt, U. (2008). Understanding how parents cope with living with someone with anorexia nervosa: Modelling the factors that are associated with carer distress. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 41(3), 233–242.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Laghi, F., Pompili, S., Zanna, V., Castiglioni, M. C., Criscuolo, M., Chianello, I., Mazzoni, S., & Baiocco, R. (2015). How adolescents with anorexia nervosa and their parents perceive family functioning? Journal of Health Psychology [Epub ahead of print].

  • Latzer, Y., Ben-Ari, A., & Galimidi, N. (2002). Anorexia nervosa and the family: Effects on younger sisters to anorexia nervosa patients. International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health, 14(4), 275–281.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lemmon, C., & Josephson, A. (2001). Family therapy for eating disorders. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 10(3), 519–542.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lock, J., & Le Grange, D. (2012). Treatment manual for anorexia nervosa: A family-based approach (2nd ed.). New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lukens, E. P., Thorning, H., & Lohrer, S. P. (2002). How siblings of those with severe mental illness perceive services and support. Journal of Psychiatric Practice, 8, 354–364.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Robinson, A. L., Strahan, E., Girz, L., Wilson, A., & Boachie, A. (2013). ‘I know I can help you’: Parental self-efficacy predicts adolescent outcomes in family-based therapy for eating disorders. European Eating Disorders Review, 21(2), 108–114.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schmid, R., Schielein, T., Binder, H., Hajak, G., & Spiessl, H. (2009). The forgotten caregivers: Siblings of schizophrenic patients. International Journal of Psychiatry in Clinical Practice, 13, 326–337.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schreier, M. (2012). Qualitative content analysis in practice. London: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sim, L. H., Homme, J. H., Lteif, A. N., Vande Voort, J. L., Schak, K. M., & Ellingson, J. (2009). Family functioning and maternal distress in adolescent girls with anorexia nervosa. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 42(6), 531–539.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sin, J., Henderson, C., & Norman, I. (2014). Usability of online psychoeducation for siblings of people with psychosis. International Journal Technology Assessment in Health Care, 30, 374–380.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sin, J., Moone, N., Harris, P., Scully, E., & Wellman, N. (2012). Understanding the experiences and service needs of siblings of individuals with first-episode psychosis: A phenomenological study. Early Intervention in Psychiatry, 6, 53–59.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stalberg, G., Ekerwald, H., & Hultman, C. M. (2004). At issue: Siblings of patients with schizophrenia: Sibling bond, coping patterns, and fear of possible schizophrenia heredity. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 30, 445–458.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wengraf, T. (2009). Qualitative research interviewing: Biographic narrative and semi-structured methods. London: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Whiteman, S. D., McHale, S. M., & Soli, A. (2011). Theoretical perspectives on sibling relationships. Journal of Family Theory and Review, 2, 124–139.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whitney, J., Haigh, R., Weinman, J., & Treasure, J. (2007). Caring for people with eating disorders: Factors associated with psychological distress and negative caregiving appraisals in carers of people with eating disorders. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 46(4), 413–428.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Health Research and Social Psychiatry, KatHO NRW Aachen, Catholic University of Applied Sciences, Robert-Schuman-Strasse 25, 52066, Aachen, Germany

    Johannes Jungbauer, Jessica Heibach & Karl Urban

Authors
  1. Johannes Jungbauer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jessica Heibach
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Karl Urban
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Johannes Jungbauer.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical Approval

The authors declare that they agree with the ethical standards of the Clinical Social Work Journal, as described in the in the Instructions for Authors. The paper has not been published previously; it has not been submitted to any other journal for simultaneous consideration. Ethical standards regarding the interviewing of study participants were strictly considered. The study participants were informed extensively about the topic, the goals and the implementation of the interview. They were advised that their participation was voluntary, that they could interrupt the interview at any time, and that their personal information would remain confidential (informed consent). Minors’ parents were also asked for their informed consent.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Jungbauer, J., Heibach, J. & Urban, K. Experiences, Burdens, and Support Needs in Siblings of Girls and Women with Anorexia Nervosa: Results from a Qualitative Interview Study. Clin Soc Work J 44, 78–86 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10615-015-0569-7

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10615-015-0569-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation