Abstract

SANTOS, Manoel Antônio; LEONIDAS, Carolina  and  COSTA, Lilian Regiane de Souza. Multifamily group in the context of Eating Disorders: a shared experience. Arq. bras. psicol. [online]. 2016, vol.68, n.3, pp. 43-58. ISSN 1809-5267.

This study aimed to explore the experience shared by caregivers who participated in a support group for family members of people who have eating disorders (ED), seeking to identify the feelings experienced and possible reinterpretations of their experiences as caregivers. Five group sessions of Family Support Group, attended by 23 relatives of patients registered in a specialized ED service in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, were analyzed. Data were subjected to thematic content analysis and interpreted in the light of a psychodynamic framework. The results indicate that family members seek to understand the causes of the problem, perceive the son/daughter affected by the disorder as an emotionally immature person, experience feelings of guilt and deficits of self-care, benefit from the presence of the father and other family members other than mothers in the setting of treatment and take advantage of the group to strengthen their role as family caregivers. It was evident that the group can function as an important alternative in building healthier relationships, eliciting changes in family dynamics.

Keywords : Eating disorders; Multifamily group; Caregiver; Family.

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