Families of bulimic and alcoholic women

Abstract

Scope and Method of Study: The purpose of the study was to assess bulimic and alcoholic women's perceptions of functioning of their families of origin as compared to a normal comparison group. The study sought to answer questions of how these groups were similar and different in their perceptions and whether specific familial dysfunctions or attitudes would result in the development of either bulimia or alcohol abuse in women.

Each of the three subject groups (bulimics, alcoholics and comparison) consisted of 15 women. All subjects participated in in-patient treatment for either bulimia, alcoholism or some medical problem. Subjects were asked to complete a number of questionnaires assessing eating and drinking behavior as well as four questionnaires assessing perceptions of familial functioning.

Findings and Conclusions: Both bulimic and alcoholic women reported significantly greater difficulties in perceived familial functioning than the comparison group women suggesting general family functioning difficulties among families with a bulimic or alcoholic member. There were no differences noted on familial attitudes toward weight or substance abuse. Among the few differences noted between the criterion groups was that the bulimic women reported being significantly more depressed than the alcoholic or comparison group women. In addition, the alcoholic group reported a higher incidence of maternal alcohol abuse.