Gender differences in stress and coping of parents with adolescent daughters undergoing treatment for anorexia nervosa

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a complex condition characterised by an uncertain etiology, protracted course and an inordinately high prevalence among adolescent females. Treatment of AN requires a multifarious approach, however, amnng adolescents family therapy is considered a necessary component to ensure positive outcome. Interestingly, while the efficacy of these systemic interventions is reliant on parents' ability to cope with treatment demands and stress, adaptive patterns among parents remain relatively under researched. The aim of this inquiry was to address this paucity of studies focused on mothers and fathers by providing a preliminary investigation of differences in their stress and coping patterns. Participants were parents of adolescent females diagnosed with AN by the Princess Margaret Hospital Eating Disorder Team. Two self-report measures were used, the Stress Index for Parents of Adolescents and the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations: Situation Specific Coping. Data was analysed using independent samples t-tests, correlations and multiple regression. Analyses i.rniicate mothers experience higher stress than fathers in relation to their role as a parent. Differences in coping style were detected, with mothers employing both emotion-oriented and avoidant coping strategies more than fathers. A posith·e relationship between these two coping styles and higher stress was also found. Results suggest mothers' stress is related to feelings of guilt combined with a sense of isolation, l<\ck of support and perceived inability to assist in recovery. Implications and future directions ain1ed at enhancing parents' support resources and feelings of efficacy toward treatme:. tt are discussed. Author; Steven Collishaw Supervisor; Dr Elizabeth Kaczmarek Submitted: October 27, 2003 Parental Stress Coping and Anorexia iii Declaration I certify that thesis does not incorporate, without acknowledgment, any material previously submitted for a degree or diploma in any institution of higher education and that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, it does not contain any material previously published or written by any other person except where due reference is made in the text Signatu e =-----Date: ----=k"--f-J~',I-)_o_Lt ____ _ Parental Stress Coping and Anorexia iv Acknowledgements I would like to thank the participants of this study for their giving their time and sharing their experiences for the sake of gaining a greater understanding of the impact within their family of this harrowing condition. I would like to thank my principal supervisor, Dr Elizabeth Kaczmarek, for her patience and support through this process, particularly in her ability to see problems looming before I had even considered them, followed by her steady guidance around these obstacles. I would also like to thank Chris Harris for the profligate amount of time and effort he contributed to this study as clinical supervisor. Thanks also to the entire Princess Margaret Hospital Eating Disorder Team, in particular Dr David Forbes and Julie Potts, for their assistance, encouragement and endorsement for conducting this study with the families to whom they exhibit an extraordinary amount of care. Finally, thanks to staff and students of the Psychology Department at Edith Cowan University, particularly Carole Gamsby for the positive and practical support she provides, and my fellow 'fourth years' including Lisa, Caroline, Gerry, Richard, Nick, Barry and Henryfor sharing the task with such good humour. Parental Stress Coping and Anorexia v Table of