The perception of maternal and paternal rejection in anorexic patients

Aims. To study the relationship between: a) AN and perceived maternal and paternal feelings of rejection;b) AN clinical features and the perception of the sense of rejection. Methods.The study has cross-sectional design,the sample was selected among 92 consecutives in and out-patients, aged from 14-35 years referred to twoEating Disorder Services, 23 patients (25%, ME 20 ±5.7)completed the full assessment for AN and were enrolled for the study. The diagnosis of AN was assigned according to the DSM 5 criteria after an accurate psychiatric clinical evaluation, integrated with tools for EDs. Results. The 95% of the SS with AN reported a sense of maternal and paternal rejection. SS with normal or better BMI expresses more maternal/paternal sense of rejection; older SS reported more perceived sense of maternal refusal. Data suggest that: a) better organic conditions and age could allow a greater mentalization of the relational difficulties of AN SS with parental figures and the expansion of the themes of the psychological distress expressed; b) SS in better weight conditions are able to free themselves from the monothematic discomfort relating to body image; c) he sense of maternal rejection requires a greater age to be perceived than the sense of paternal rejection.