FAMILY FUNCTIONING AND LIFE EVENTS IN OUTCOME OF ADOLESCENT ANOREXIA-NERVOSA

Background This study investigates the outcome of anorexia nervosa in adolescents in relation to precipitating life events and changes in fa mily functioning over time. Method Thirty-five adolescents with anorex ia nervosa and their mothers were administered measures of life events and family functioning at initial assessment and 1 and 2 year follow- up, when outcome was also assessed. Results Fifty-live per cent of pat ients had a good outcome. Patients from initially well-functioning fam ilies or those with precipitating life events improved more in the fir st year, than those with dysfunctional families or without events. Sub jects perceived a deterioration in family functioning at 1 year follow -up but an improvement at 2 years. Mothers reported no changes. Conclu sions Approximately half of a series of early onset cases of anorexia nervosa can be expected to recover by 2 years. Healthy family function ing and presence of a precipitating life event predict good short-term outcome. The relationships between subjects perceptions of family fun ctioning and their recovery from anorexia nervosa is discussed.