Investigating self-blame and trauma symptoms in parents of young people with anorexia nervosa.
Abstract
Background: Caring for a young person with anorexia nervosa (AN) has been associated with psychological distress and found to be a traumatic experience.
This can have an impact on patient and family outcomes.
Objective: This study aimed to investigate whether self-blame cognitions contribute to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in parents of young people with AN.
Methods: A cross-sectional design was used.
One hundred and twenty-three parents of young people with AN completed a range of questionnaires assessing self-blame cognitions and PTSD symptoms.
Results: Overall, levels of self-blame cognitions were significantly higher in those experiencing higher levels of PTSD symptoms compared to low levels.
Additionally, levels of self-blame cognitions significantly predicted PTSD symptoms over and above demographic factors and illness severity, accounting for 22% of unique variance in PTSD symptoms.
Conclusions: The findings suggest that negative appraisals regarding self-blame for their child’s eating disorder contributed to the potential maintenance of PTSD symptoms.
Parents presenting with thoughts of self-blame would benefit from further support to reduce these feelings and, subsequently, reduce carer distress.
Citations
Irish M, Adams J, Cooper M. Investigating self-blame and trauma symptoms in parents of young people with anorexia nervosa. Eur Eat Disord Rev. 2024 Jan;32(1):80-89.
Alternative title: Investigating self-blame and trauma symptoms in parents of young people with anorexia nervosa
Page last reviewed: 12 June, 2025
Metadata
Author(s): Adams, Joanna; Cooper, Myra; Irish, Madeleine
Collection: 123456789/8
Subject(s): Anorexia Nervosa
Format(s): Article
Date issued: 2023-08
ID: 1308