The Impact of Eating Disorders on Carer–Patient Relationship: Accommodation and Enabling.

Background- We know the impact of Eating Disorders (ED) on the quality life and family relationships. The aim of this study is to analyze if there are significant differences in accommodation and enabling behaviors between primary and secondary carers, and/or carers who spend more/less than 21 h/w with the patient. Methods- The sample consists of 97 carers (94,8% parents, 5,2% partners) of patients with diagnosis of ED (AN: 86,1%, BN: 13,9%), who received the questionnaire AESED (Accommodation and Enabling Scale for Eating Disorders). Results- We have: primary carer 84%, secondary carer 19,6%; spend > 21 h/w with the patient 64,5%, spend < 21h/w 35,5%. There are significant differences between primary and secondary carers in the AESED Overall score (p 0.02), Avoidance and Modifying Routine (p 0,05) and Reassurance Seeking ( p 0,05), no significant differences between carers who spend more or less than 21 h/w with the loved one with ED. Conclusions- We can think that interventions focalized on ED maintenance factors, have to do a particular attention on primary carers to support them and to improve skills to care their loved one with an ED.