Maternal psychopathology and child risk factors in infantile anorexia

Abstract

Objective: This study examines a transactional and multirisk model for Infantile Anorexia (IA) and investigates the contributions of the parent, the child, and dyadic interactional variables related to this feeding disorder. Method: The sample consisted of 371 mother-child pairs (children aged 6-36 months), of which 187 pairs of mothers and normally developing children (NDgroup), and 184 mothers and IA children. All dyads were videotaped during feeding; mothers completed questionnaires assessing their psychological profiles and eating attitudes, as well as their children's temperament and emotional/ behavioral functioning. Results: Analyses revealed that the IAgroup showed higher scores in symptomatic characteristics both of the mother and of the child, and dysfunctional interactions during feeding as compared with the ND-group. Further analyses revealed that both child and maternal characteristics are significant predictors of dyadic interactional conflict. Discussion: Results confirm that a multidimensional assessment is critical in the evaluation of IA. © 2009 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.