Parental reflective functioning among mothers with eating disorder symptomatology

Abstract

Objective: Reflective Functioning is a vital aspect of parental aptitude and its absence, especially in the presence of psychopathology, can impair attachment. This study sought to clarify the relationship of parental RF among mothers with eating disorder symptomatology.

Method: We assessed 59 mothers for ED symptomatology using the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) and RF through the Parental Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (PRFQ). Bivariate and multivariate analyses compared PRFQ subscales between symptomatic and asymptomatic mothers, using a clinical cutoff score of 4 on the EDE-Q subscales.

Results: Greater weight and shape concerns were found to significantly predict higher RF (p=0.023; p=0.026).

Discussion: This finding could indicate a similar pattern seen among individuals with bulimia nervosa; individuals have higher RF scores, although affect regulation may still be limited. More research is needed with a larger sample to define the relationship between ED symptomatology and RF and identify potential mediators and moderators.

Keywords: Eating disorders; Mentalization; Motherhood; Parenting; Reflective functioning.