Experience of caregiving and coping strategies in caregivers of adolescents with an eating disorder: A comparative study. (February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Parks, Melissa; Anastasiadou, Dimitra; Sánchez, Julio César; Graell, Montserrat; Sepulveda, Ana R.
• Is Part Of: Psychiatry research. Volume 260(2018)
• Page Start: 241
• Page End: 247
• Publication Date: 2018-02
• Subjects: Caregiver -- Carer -- Eating disorders -- Substance use disorders -- Adolescent; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- periodicals; Psychiatrie -- Périodiques; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2017.11.064
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0165-1781

Abstract

Abstract: Caring for a relative with an eating disorder (ED) is associated with heightened psychological distress, which, according to a stress-coping model, may be influenced by coping and appraisal. However, limited quantitative studies have assessed coping in ED caregivers. This cross-sectional study aims to assess 1) the differences in coping between caregivers of three groups: patients with an ED, patients with a substance use disorder, and healthy teens, and 2) the patient and caregiver variables associated with coping and appraisal of the caregiving experience. A one-way MANOVA was significant for caregiver group for mothers, but not fathers. Mothers of both patient groups used more self-sufficient problem focused coping than mothers of healthy teens. Patient caregivers did not significantly differ from caregivers of healthy teens in their use of avoidance. Mothers used social support strategies more than fathers. A positive experience of caregiving was significantly associated with the use of approach-oriented coping in ED caregivers and a negative experience of caregiving was significantly associated with avoidance in ED mothers. Older ED caregivers were less likely to use avoidance. Future interventions could help ED caregivers to recognize their coping preferences and how to appropriately use these strategies when faced with illness-related stressors. Highlights: First study to compare coping of ED caregivers with other caregiver groups. Caregivers of ED and SUD patients do not differ in their coping strategies. Caregivers of ED and SUD patients do not avoid more than HC caregivers. Appraisal of caregiving experience is associated with coping in ED caregivers. Mothers use social support coping more than fathers in all three groups.