Relation between Eating Disorder Tendency and Family Relationships in Adolescence : Quantitative Analysis of EDI-91 and Kinetic Family Drawings

Tendency for developing eating disorders and the family relationships of adolescents was investigated. The Eating Disorder Questionnaire-91 (EDI-91) was administered to non-clinical, adolescent men and women, and the characteristics of their EDI-91 scores were examined. Moreover, the link between the tendency for eating disorders and family relationships were clarified. Results of factor analysis of EDI-91 scores suggested a 10-factor structure. The results also confirmed the reliability of the sub-scales of EDI-91. Additionally, the tendency for eating disorders score was calculated based on the EDI-91 results. This tendency was related to recognition and expression of feelings and to the recollection of feeling experienced in the past. Furthermore, the Kinetic Family Drawings (KFD) was administered to the participants. The participants were classified on the basis of EDI-91 results, and the relationship between the tendency for eating disorders and the family relationships expressed by KFD was examined. Result indicated the following features in woman with a high tendency for eating disorders: (1) Conflict over temporary desire that was expressed in the symbol for the kitchen and (2) Feelings about the family that was expressed by features and by omitting description of people. It is suggested that future studies should clarify family's interactions and the overall family image of adolescents with tendency for eating disorders by combining the results of different indices