In this master’s thesis, we explored the experience of perfectionism and the relationship with parents among girls who struggled with an eating disorder during adolescence.
In the theoretical part, we provided definitions of eating disorders, analysed the factors that trigger them, and discussed the consequences faced by affected individuals. We also identified the main characteristics of perfectionism and examined its role in the context of eating disorders. Additionally, we focused on family relationships during adolescence, evaluating the importance of family and family relationships in coping with an eating disorder. In the empirical part, we used a phenomenological method to present results on the experience of perfectionism and parental relationships in girls with eating disorders during adolescence.
The data were obtained through semi-structured interviews with 6 participants aged 22–42 years. All participants are female and had an eating disorder during adolescence. The results demonstrate that all participants who experienced an eating disorder in adolescence also experienced perfectionism in terms of personal standards and in relation to socially prescribed perfectionism. It was concluded that all participants faced interpersonal relationship difficulties related to both perfectionism and their eating disorders. Most participants, with the exception of one, reported that their relationship with their parents influenced the development of their eating disorder. These relationships were primarily characterized by feelings of inferiority, mistrust, loneliness, lack of acceptance, and lack of validation.
The results of the master’s thesis can be valuable in the treatment and prevention of eating disorders for professionals working in the field, particularly in psychology, psychotherapy, and education. Additionally, the findings may serve as a useful resource for parents seeking to gain knowledge and understanding of the subject, helping them better comprehend the experiences of adolescents dealing with both eating disorders and perfectionism.
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