SOCIAL SUPPORT IN PATIENTS WITH ANOREXIA-NERVOSA AND BULIMIA-NERVOSA

Objective: To investigate the social support networks of patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN). Method: Social suppor t was measured using the Significant Others Scale for 44 patients with AN, 81 patients with BN, and 86 polytechnic students. Results: Earing disorder patients had smaller social networks than the students. AN p atients were significantly less likely than BN patients to have a spou se or partner as a support figure. Both AN and BN patients reported le ss actual emotional and practical support than students. AN patients p erceived their social support to be adequate, whereas BN patients were dissatisfied with their support. Patients set lower ideals for suppor t than the students. Social support was not correlated with duration o f illness. Discussion: AN and BN patients ha ve deficient social netwo rks. In BN patients there is disturbance in both the size and perceive d adequacy of social relationships. (C) 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc .