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Reciprocal Influence of Couple Dynamics and Eating Disorders
Author(s) -
Linville Deanna,
Cobb Erin,
Shen Fei,
Stadelman Suzie
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of marital and family therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.868
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1752-0606
pISSN - 0194-472X
DOI - 10.1111/jmft.12133
Subject(s) - eating disorders , psychology , reciprocal , clinical psychology , coping (psychology) , grounded theory , psychotherapist , dynamics (music) , eating behavior , psychiatry , developmental psychology , qualitative research , medicine , pedagogy , obesity , social science , linguistics , philosophy , sociology
Little research has focused on the ways that eating disorder processes and adult couple dynamics influence one another. The purpose of this study was to investigate the reciprocal influence of couple dynamics and eating disorder illness and recovery processes. We conducted 51 interviews with 17 couples where one member identified as currently suffering or having recovered from an eating disorder. Using grounded theory analytical methods, findings include the systemic interplay of the eating disorder and relationship, both partners' perspectives on the eating disorder and its role in the relationship, the noneating disorder partner's impact on the eating disorder, and coping strategies for recovery as a couple. Clinical implications for supporting couples experiencing eating disorder illness and recovery are discussed.