FAMILY CAREGIVING EXPERIENCE IN EATING DISORDERS: A CRITICAL LITERATURE REVIEW
The aim of this article is to review the available qualitative and quantitative literature on family caregiving experience in eating disorders. Analysis of the 26 selected studies highlights three major themes: the subjective caregiving experience, illness perception, and perception of help provided and of professionals involved. The qualitative and quantitative studies both view the caregiving role as difficult and as having important emotional consequences. Results of the review are discussed and followed by clinical application suggestions. Finally, some areas for future research are presented.