The role of interpersonal functioning in the maintenance of eating psychopathology: a systematic review and testable model

Abstract

This review aims to systematically evaluate the empirical literature relating to the interpersonal functioning of those with eating disorder psychopathology and presents a preliminary model to help the formulation of patients' problems. Following a thorough literature search, 35 papers were included in this systematic review. The vast majority of studies indicate a strong association between eating psychopathology and certain maladaptive personality traits. The origins of social anxiety and poor social support that have been described as maintaining eating disorders appear to differ according to diagnostic groups. Interpersonal difficulties in people with restrictive behaviors such as anorexia appear to be related to the avoidance of expressing feelings to others and to giving priority to other people's feeling over their own. While interpersonal difficulties in patients with bulimia nervosa appear to be more related to interpersonal distrust and negative interaction and conflict with others. These concepts are presented in a preliminary model of interpersonal functioning in the eating disorders.