Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Characteristics of bulimic patients whose parents do or do not abuse alcohol

  • Original Research Paper
  • Published:
Eating and Weight Disorders - Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objectives: This study attempts to understand the effects of a parental history of alcohol abuse on the psychopathology and symptoms of bulimia nervosa (BN). Method: The study involved 121 female BN patients consecutively admitted to the Eating Disorders Unit of the University Hospital of Bellvitge. The sample was divided post hoc into two subgroups on the basis of the presence (PAA, n=25) or not of parental abuse of alcohol (NPAA, n=96). All of the patients fulfilled the DSM-IV criteria for BN. Evaluation: The assessment measures were the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-40), the Eating Disorders Inventory (EDI), the Bulimic Investigatory Test Edinburgh (BITE), the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), as well as clinical and psychopathological variables. Results and Conclusions: Only 7.4% of the patients reported current alcohol abuse and this correlated positively with the presence of other impulsive behaviours (p<0.001). Furthermore, PAA was observed in 20.7% of cases. When the PAA and NPAA subgroups were compared, no significant differences were found in the symptomatological or psychopathological variables, but the PAA group showed more frequent parental obesity (p<0.001) and its members lived less frequently with their parents (p<0.001). The results of this study suggest that there is little correlation between parental abuse of alcohol and the severity of BN.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Hatsukami D., Eckert E., Mitchell J., Pyle R.: Affective disorder and substance abuse in women with bulimia. Psychol. Med., 14, 701–704, 1984.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Hudson J.I., Pope H.G., Jonas J.M., Yurgelun-Todd D., Frankenburg F.R.: A controlled family history study of bulimia. Psychol. Med., 17, 883–890, 1987.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Mitchell J.E., Hatsukami D., Eckert E.D., Pyle R.L.: Characteristics of 275 patients with bulimia. Am. J. Psychiatry, 142, 482–485, 1985.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Rivinus T.M., Biederman J., Herzog D.B., Kemper K., Harper G.P., Harmatz J.S. Houseworth S.: Anorexia nervosa and affective disorders: A controlled family history study. Am. J. Psychiatry, 141, 1414–1418, 1984.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Stern S.L., Dixon K.N., Nemzer E., Lake M.D., Sansone R.A., Smeltzer D.G., Lantz S., Schrier S.S.: Affective disorder in the families of women with normal weight bulimia. Am. J. Psychiatry, 141, 1224–1227, 1984.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Hatsukami D., Owen P., Pyle R., Mitchell J.: Similarities and differences on the MMPI between women with bulimia and women with alcohol or drug abuse. Addict. Behav., 7, 435–439, 1982.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Herzog D.B., Keller M.B., Lavori P.W., Kenny G.M.: The prevalence of personality disorders in 210 women with eating disorders. J. Clin. Psychiatry, 53, 147, 1992.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Johnson C.: Initial consultation for patients with bulimia and anorexia nervosa. In: Garner D.M., Garfinkel P.E. (Eds.), Handbook of psychotherapy for anorexia nervosa and bulimia. New York, The Guilford Press, 1985.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Lacey J.H., Evans C.D.H.: The impulsivist: a multi-impulsive personality disorder. Br. J. Addict., 81, 641–649, 1986.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Palme G., Palme J.: Personality characteristics of female seeking treatment for obesity, Bulimia nervosa and alcoholic disorders. Person. Individual Differences, 26, 255–263, 1999.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Beary M.D., Lacey J.H., Merry J.: Alcoholism and eating disorders in women of fertile age. Br. J. Addic., 81, 685–689, 1986.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Bulik C.M.: Drug and alcohol abuse by bulimic women and their families. Am. J. Psychiatry, 144, 1604–1606, 1987.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Kaye W.H., Lilenfeld L.R., Plotnicov K., Merikangas K.R., Nagy L., Strober M., Bulik C.M., Moss H., Greeno C.G.: Bulimia nervosa and substance dependence: association and family transmission. Alcohol. Clin. Exp. Res., 20, 878–881, 1996.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Krahn D.D., Nairn K., Gosnell B.A., Drewnowski A.: Stealing in eating disordered patients. J. Clin. Psychiatry, 52, 112–115, 1991.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Pyle R.L., Mitchell J.E., Eckert E.D.: Bulimia: A report of 34 cases. J. Clin. Psychiatry, 42, 60–64, 1981.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Chandy J.M., Harris L., Blum R.W., Resnick M.D.: Disordered eating among adolescents whose parents misuse alcohol: protective and risk factors. Int. J. Addict., 29, 505–516, 1994.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Bushell J.A., Wells J.E., McKenzie J.M., Hornblow A.R., Oakley-Browne M.A., Joyce P.R.: Bulimia comorbidity in the general population and in the clinic. Psychol. Med., 24, 605–611, 1994.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Kassett J.A., Gershon E.S., Maxwell M.E., Guroff J.J., Kazuba D.M., Smith A.L., Brandt A.H., Jimerson D.C.: Psychiatry disorders in the first-degree relatives of probands with bulimia nervosa. Am. J. Psychiatry, 146, 1468–1471, 1989.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Suzuki K., Higuchi S., Yamada K., Mizutani Y., Kono H.: Young female alcoholics with and without eating disorders: a comparative study in Japan. Am. J. Psychiatry, 150, 1053–1058, 1993.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Suzuki K., Takeda A., Matsushita S.: Coprevalence of bulimia with alcohol abuse and smoking among Japanese male and female high school students. Addiction, 90, 971–975, 1995.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Garfinkel P.E., Lin E., Goering P., Spegg C., Goldbloom DS., Kennedy S., Kaplan A.S., Woodside D.B.: Bulimia nervosa in a Canadian community sample: Prevalence and comparison of subgroups. Am. J. Psychiatry, 152, 1052–1058, 1995.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Goldbloom D.S.: Alcohol misuse and eating disorders: aspects of an association. Alcohol Alcohol., 28, 375–381, 1993.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Miller N.S.: Eating disorders and drug and alcohol dependency. In: Giannini A.J., Slaby A.E. (Eds.), The eating disorders. New York, Springer Verlag, 1993, pp. 213–224.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  24. Fahy T., Eisler I.: Impulsivity and eating disorders. Br. J. Psychiatry, 162, 193–197, 1993.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Fernández-Aranda F., Dahme B., Meermann R.: Body image in eating disorders and analysis of its relevance. J. Psychosom. Res., 47, 419–428, 1999.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Fichter M.M., Quadflieg N., Rief W.: Course of multi-impulsive bulimia. Psychol. Med., 24, 591–604, 1994.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Lacey J.H.: Self-damaging and addictive behavior in bulimia nervosa. Br. J. Psychiatry, 163, 190–194, 1993.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Walfish S., Stenmark P.E., Krone A.M.: Incidence of bulimia in substance misusing women in residential treatment. Int. J. Addict., 27, 425–433, 1992.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Kaminer Y., Feingold M., Lyons K.: Bulimia in a pair of monozygotic twins. J. Nerv. Ment. Dis., 176, 246–248, 1988.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Mitchell J.E., Hatsukami D., Pyle R., Eckert E.: Bulimia with and without a family history of drug abuse. Addict. Behav., 13, 245–251, 1988.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Troop N.A., Holbrey A., Treasure J.L.: Stress, coping and crisis support in eating disorders. Int. J. Eat. Disord., 24, 157–166, 1998.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed., Washington, DC., 1994.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Garner D.M., Garfinkel P.E.: The Eating Attitudes Test: an index of the symptoms of Anorexia nervosa. Psychol. Med., 9, 273–279, 1979.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Castro J., Toro J., Salamero M., Guimerá E.: The eating attitudes test: validation of the Spanish version. Evaluación Psicológica/ Psychological Assessment, 7, 175–190, 1991.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Garner D.M., Olmsted M.P., Polivy J.: Development and validation of a multidimensional Eating Disorder Inventory for Anorexia nervosa and Bulimia. Int. J. Eat. Disord., 2, 15–34, 1983.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Guimerá E., Torrubia R.: Adaptación española del “Eating Disorder Inventory”(EDI) en una muestra de pacientes anoréxicas. Anal. Psiquiatría, 3, 185–190, 1987.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Henderson M., Freeman C.P.L.: A self-rating scale for bulimia. The “BITE”. Br. J. Psychiatry, 150, 18–24, 1987.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Cervera S., Gual P., Lasa L.: Protocolo de atención a pacientes con trastornos de la conducta alimentaria. Clínica Universitaria. Universidad de Navarra. Madrid, Smithkline Beecham, 1995.

    Google Scholar 

  39. Beck A.T., Ward C., Mendelson M., Mock J., Erbauch J.: An inventory for measuring depression. Arch. Gen. Psychiatry, 4, 561–571, 1961.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Vázquez C., Sanz J.: Fiabilidad y evaluación de la versión española del Inventario para depresión de Beck 1978 en pacientes con trastornos psiquiátricos. Clínica y Salud, 10, 59–81, 1999.

    Google Scholar 

  41. Cooper P.J., Taylor M.J., Cooper Z., Fairburn C.G.: The development and validation of the Body Shape Questionnaire. Int. J. Eat. Disord., 6, 485–494, 1987.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Raich R.M., Mora M., Soler A., Avila C., Clos I., Zapater L.: Adaptación de un instrumento de evaluación de la insatisfacción corporal. Clínica y Salud, 7, 67–79, 1996.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Fernández-Aranda F., Turón V.: Guia básica de tratamiento en anorexia y bulimia nerviosa. [Handbook of anorexia and bulimia nervosa]. Barcelona, Masson, 1998.

  44. Lilenfeld L.R., Kaye W.H., Greeno C.G., Merikangas K.R., Plotnicov K., Pollice C., Strober M., Bulik C.M., Nagy L.: Psychiatric disorders in women with bulimia nervosa and their first-degree relatives: effects of comorbid substance dependence. Int. J. Eat. Disord., 22, 253–264, 1997.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Newton J.R., Freeman C.P., Munro J.: Impulsivity and dyscontrol in bulimia nervosa: is impulsivity an independent phenom- enon or a market of severity? Acta Psychiatr. Scand., 87, 389–394, 1994.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Sohlberg S., Norring C., Holmgren S., Rosmark B.: Impulsivity and long-term prognosis of psychiatric patients with Anorexia nervosa/Bulimia nervosa. J. Nerv. Ment. Dis., 177, 249–258, 1989.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Wiederman M.W., Pryor T.: Substance use and impulsive behaviors among adolescents with eating disorders. Addict. Behav., 21, 269–272, 1996.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Wiederman M.W., Pryor T.: Multi-impulsivity among women with bulimia nervosa. Int. J. Eat. Disord., 20, 359–365, 1996.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Goldbloom D.S., Naranjo C.A., Bremner K.E., Hicks L.K.: Eating disorders and alcohol abuse in women. Br. J. Addict., 87, 913–919, 1992.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Fairburn C.G., Doll H.A., Welch S.L., Hay P.J., Davies B.A., O’Connor M.E.: Risk factors for binge eating disorder: a communitybased, case-control study. Arch. Gen. Psychiatry, 55, 425–432, 1998.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Fairburn C.G., Norman P.A., Welch S.L., O’Connor M.E., Doll H.A., Peveler R.C.: A prospective study of outcome in bulimia nervosa and the long-term effects of three psychological treatments. Arch. Gen. Psychiatry, 52, 304–312, 1995.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Bulik C.M., Sullivan P.F.: Comorbility of Bulimia and substance abuse: perceptions of family of origin. Int. J. Eat. Disord., 13, 49–56, 1993.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Holder H.D., Edwards G.: Alcohol policy and the public good. Oxford, Oxford University Press, 1995.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Eating Disorders Unit at the Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Bellvitge, c/ Feixa Llarga s/n, 08907, Barcelona, Spain

    I. García-Vilches, A. Badía-Casanovas, F. Fernández-Aranda Ph.D. (Consultant Psychologist) & V. Turón-Gil

  2. Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Bellvitge, Barcelona, Spain

    S. Jiménez-Murcia & J. Vallejo-Ruiloba

  3. Maudsley Hospital, London, UK

    M. Katzman

Authors
  1. I. García-Vilches
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. A. Badía-Casanovas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. F. Fernández-Aranda Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. S. Jiménez-Murcia
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. V. Turón-Gil
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. J. Vallejo-Ruiloba
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. M. Katzman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to F. Fernández-Aranda Ph.D..

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

García-Vilches, I., Badía-Casanovas, A., Fernández-Aranda, F. et al. Characteristics of bulimic patients whose parents do or do not abuse alcohol. Eat Weight Disord 7, 232–238 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03327461

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03327461

Key words

Search

Navigation