Adult Psychiatrists' Knowledge of the Adjustment of Children whose Mothers have Eating Disorders

✍ Scribed by Birgit Berg; Matthew Hodes

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1997
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 59 KB
• Volume: 5
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1072-4133
• DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1099-0968(199703)5:1<25::aid-erv186>3.0.co;2-2

✦ Synopsis

A survey was carried out of psychiatrists working in the North West Thames Region to assess their knowledge and clinical practice regarding the children of mothers with eating disorders. One hundred and ten psychiatrists were contacted and they returned 66 completed questionnaires. Most psychiatrists were aware that these children might be at increased risk for dif®culties. They had little knowledge concerning the children whose mothers they treated for eating disorders, and the effect of the maternal disorder on children's eating, growth and psychological adjustment. The majority did not assess or treat the family or children. A previous placement in child and adolescent psychiatry was associated with greater awareness of possible problems for children of eating-disordered mothers (p=0.008). Adult psychiatrists are well placed to identify the psychiatric needs of the children of their patients, so continued attention should be given to their training and clinical practice.