Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing 2008;38(1):55-63

doi:10.4040/jkan.2008.38.1.55

The Relationship between Eating Disorders and Parent-Adolescent Communication in Middle School Students in Rural Areas.

Kye Ha KIM 1 ; Kyoung Mi YANG

Affiliations

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Keywords

Eating disorders; Communication; Adolescent

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

Korean

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between eating disorders and parent-adolescent communication in middle school students. METHOD: There were 267 adolescents taken as participants from two middle schools in rural areas. Data were collected from June to July 2005, using the Eating Disorder Inventory-2 questionnaire (23 items) and Parent-Adolescent Communication Inventory (10 items for open family communication, 10 items for problem in family communication). The SPSS Win version 12.0 was used for descriptive analysis, t-test, and partial correlation coefficient. RESULT: The mean score on the eating disorder was 2.74 (range: 1-6). Meanwhile, the mean scores on the parentadolescent communication was 3.37 (range: 1-5). There were significant differences in eating disorders according to gender, age, negative perception of the participant's body weight, family's perception of obesity, diet experiences, and BMI. Eating disorders showed a significant negative correlation with parent-adolescent communication. CONCLUSION: In this study, there was a significant negative correlation between eating disorders and parent-adolescent communication. In order to prevent an eating disorder, education and training to enhance communication skills should be provided to adolescents and their parents as well.