Family Functioning Among Adolescent Males With Restrictive Eating Disorders: A Comparison to Matched Adolescent Females

Abstract

Objective

Knowledge of family functioning (FF) for those with eating disorders (EDs) is driven by research with females, resulting in an overly gendered perception of FF. The current study: (1) descriptively examined FF among male adolescents with EDs, (2) compared FF among males with anorexia nervosa-restricting subtype (AN-R), AN-binge/purge subtype (AN-BP), and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), and (3) compared FF between males and females with these EDs.

Method

Participants were 175 males and 175 females who completed the Family Assessment Device (FAD).

Results

Males scored above the clinical cutoffs on most FAD subscales. No differences in FF were found among males across ED diagnoses. Significant differences were found between males and females with AN-R on four FAD subscales (affective involvement [OR = 4.70], affective responsiveness [OR = 2.52], communication [OR = 2.78], and general functioning [OR = 2.22]), with males reporting worse FF (all ps < 0.03). Differences between males and females with AN-BP or ARFID were not large enough to meet statistical significance.

Conclusions

This study increases understanding of FF in EDs from a more diverse standpoint. Male adolescents with EDs experience poor FF. Qualitative studies could clarify possible reasons behind poor FF for adolescent males with EDs and help to identify specific targets for treatment.