Eating disorders represent a significant societal challenge today, impacting individuals across various demographics irrespective of age, gender, or socio-cultural status. Recognized as a social epidemic, extensive research has examined the multifactorial etiology, associated comorbidities, and evidence-based treatments over the past decade. During this time, there has been an increase in knowledge and awareness of eating disorders, observationally on the rise. While scholars have achieved remarkable findings, the investigation into narrative approaches and argumentative perspectives—especially those that explore the contextual and relational aspects of eating disorders—remains limited. Research has predominantly focused on individualistic perspectives, often sidelining the influence of family dynamics. This gap highlights an opportunity to expand the understanding of eating disorders within the broader socio-relational context in which affected individuals reside.

This Research Topic aims to explore family dynamics linked with eating disorders, focusing on the relational and narrative aspects that influence both the development and intervention pathways. Key questions include the communication patterns within families centered around food semantics and the impact of eating disorders on family members. Additionally, the research seeks to analyze the role families play in models of care and treatment frameworks, highlighting how they can be leveraged in therapeutic models. By addressing these, the collection aims to provide an enriched perspective on eating disorders that extends beyond the individual and incorporates the interplay of family influences.

This Research Topic welcomes articles addressing, but not limited to, the following sub-themes:
• Family Systems and Eating Disorders – examining communication patterns within families concerning food, as well as analysis of family roles and dynamics that contribute to the development and maintenance of eating disorders.
• Impact of Eating Disorders on Family Members - emotional and psychological effects on siblings, partners, and children. Explorations of family stress and how it impacts familial relationships.
• Intergenerational family trauma and how inherited family myths relate to eating disorders - studies examining the transmission of beliefs and behaviors concerning body image and diet across generations.
• The Traumatic Impact of Eating Disorder on Parents - parents’ trauma bound to children’s eating disorder that influences their children’s recovery path;
• Family Narratives and Food - argumentative analysis of family narratives where food mediates communication, how family storytelling shapes eating behaviors and disorder perceptions.
• Family-Based Therapeutic Approaches - evaluations of family involvement in treatment frameworks, group psychotherapy involving parents and caregivers, peer-to-peer self-help initiatives and their efficacy.
• Parental Experience and Challenges – studies looking at the impact of parental trauma relating to their child’s eating disorder on the recovery process, challenges faced by parents e.g. when a child transitions from residential treatment back home.
• Relapse Prevention and Family Support - strategies to mitigate relapse during family reintegration post-treatment, studies on the role of family support structures in sustaining recovery from eating disorders.

Contributions of various article types, including original research, reviews, and theoretical papers, to advance our understanding of these dynamics are encouraged.

Are you interested in contributing a manuscript to this Research Topic?

New Approaches of Care in Eating Disorders: The Interdisciplinary Intervention With Families

Topic Coordinator