Living as a couple with anorexia nervosa: A dyadic interpretative phenomenological analysis. (December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Antoine, Pascal; Flinois, Bérengère; Doba, Karyn; Nandrino, Jean-Louis; Dodin, Vincent; Hendrickx, Marion
• Is Part Of: Journal of health psychology. Volume 23:Number 14(2018)
• Page Start: 1842
• Page End: 1852
• Publication Date: 2018-12
• Subjects: anorexia nervosa -- couple -- dyadic -- interpretative phenomenological analysis -- qualitative study; Clinical health psychology -- Periodicals; 613.019
• DOI: 10.1177/1359105316672095
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-1053

Abstract

This study examined the difficulties couples face in relation to anorexia nervosa. Using interpretative phenomenological analysis, five couples in which one of the partners lives with anorexia nervosa were interviewed separately. The findings are conceptualized into three areas: first, the encounter 'at the crossroads between remission and relapse'; second, the way that 'anorexia reveals itself'; and finally, the way the 'ménage à trois' works, including the illness fully as part of the couple. Psychotherapists should take into account the context of the couple and the complex interaction between the couple and the illness to support both partners' development of appropriate responses.